For Mother's Day, we wrote in our journals about us and our mothers. I also drew a picture of my mom and me. In my picture, both my mother and I look exactly like Miss E.
In reality, my mom had light brown hair and blue eyes. I had blond hair and blue eyes. In my journal, my mom and I both had long flowing black hair and big brown eyes. We were holding hands wearing matching dresses that looked suspiciously like one of Miss E.'s dresses. Needless to say, I thought highly of the woman.
Today I was working with Sydney's small group. Sydney is a high-energy, hard-working, unconditionally-loving, wonderfully-independent, and fully-latina first grader. While we were reading and discussing a levelled reader, she looked up at me and said "Mrs. Roosma, when I'm una grande, I want ojos azules just like yours. They're so bright!" (with the word bright she did a hand motion to demonstrate just how they shine and rolled her "r" a little extra because that's what she always does). A few minutes later, it was time for them to clean up and go to lunch. She stood next to the table and when I stood up, gave me a big hug around my waist and said, "I'll miss you Miss Roosma!" (yes, she tells me that she will miss me when she goes to lunch for half an hour).
I don't think Sydney realized it, but of all the compliments and encouragements that I have received this year, this one is the most valued. Maybe she doesn't think of me like I did of Miss E., but if even a teeny-tiny part of her admires me the way that I admired Miss E, then I must be doing something right.
