In case you were wondering where Gloria was and what she was doing during our big school move and also our holiday break; she was with a child and his family. They sent me this email today:
Hey Jennie,
We enjoyed Gloria and Connor loved having her. It brought him great joy. Thank you so much for this. Jayden was excited to see that Connor loved Gloria just as much as he did.
Recently, Connor started having a lot of night terrors. It was a phase where he was waking up a lot. I think having Gloria gave him an extra comfort, and he would tuck her in on the floor next to her at night. Having her for 2 weeks definitely helped. He has reduced his frequency of waking up to maybe once a night if that. He asked for her the night we brought Gloria back and was not happy, but was happy that Gloria could be with his friends again!
I attached a few pictures that show Gloria was a big part of our vacation!
Thank you for everything you guys are doing. He loves school so much and wakes up every morning looking forward to going. As I am sure you have been told, he runs right into school and never looks back!
Thanks again!
Love,
Dan and Katie
I think this says it all!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
It does say it all. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, John. And thank you.
So lovely.
Thank you!
That’s beautiful, Jennie. How nice of the parents to think of writing this note to you. So often parents might feel and think appreciative thoughts, but if they didn’t tell you, you’d never know.
I was really touched by the note. I know how much Conner loves Gloria, yet this note from the parents is a treasure. You’re right- parents may be appreciative, but if they don’t tell you, you’ll never know.
I have a couple of little notes from parents that I’ve saved in a special folder for years. Once in a long time I come across them and smile and it still makes me feel good.
Those notes are treasures. Few people are lucky enough to have them. 🙂
How wonderful!
It really was! ❤️
What a great place for Gloria to spend her break!
Yes, indeed!
Couldn’t be better. Gloria is working her magic! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
I know what you mean. How does she do this? Honestly Pete, I am amazed at how she is beloved every year. Surprised, no. Amazed at the level of involvement, yes. It is wonderful! Best to you, Pete.
What a great idea. Gloria is always doing her best. 🙂
Yes, she is. 🙂
:-))
How fortunate for Connor that Gloria was there to ease his night terrors!
I know Connor adores Gloria, yet I had no idea she had a big role in erasing his night terrors. I’m so glad his parents told me. She’s a wonder.
I was thinking the same thing. She seems like a real person to me.
She really does!
Soooo sweet Jennie.
Thank you, Flower. This was a wonderful surprise today.
Oh, my! This is so heart-warming, Jennie:)
I was beside myself when I read the parent’s email. Bless Gloria, because she works wonders. Thank you, Becky.
She does, with your help, Jennie:)
🥰
so very sweet
Thank you, Beth. The parents’ email was a lovely surprise. Gloria somehow works her magic.
Oh, how precious! 🥰
The best! 💕
It does. Gloria is good at working magic.
She is indeed!
It does say it all! 💕
🥰
Hugs & Happy Dance! 💞
🥰❤️💕
the love says it all. How fortunate that Gloria was able to help Connor just as much as Connor helped her.
It was meant to be! 🙂
How special that Gloria had a place to stay and helped a little boy with his sleep. A lovely note from the parents. xo
It was truly wonderful! 🙂
Awww. The power of love to heal. What a lovely story, Jennie.
Well said, Diana! ❤️
How wonderful, Jennie. I am not surprised kids are having night terrors at the moment with everything that is happening. I am glad Gloria could give this little boy some comfort.
I think the present state of the pandemic has trickled down into the lives children, and they feel worried. Gloria is ‘just what the doctor ordered’.
I wish that when our kids were little we could have had the chance to take Gloria home. Sadly we were offered things like the snake or hamster!
Awww… thank you for saying that, Elizabeth. She’s like singing home love. Snakes and hamsters really aren’t the same thing.
For real.
🙂
Another satisfied customer. Does Gloria typically go home on the weekends with a student? How did you decide that Connor was the lucky recipient to spend two weeks with Gloria?
Part of the story that is particularly delightful is that the older sibling has fond memories of Gloria being in your class before.
Well… I probably should not have let her go home with Connor because of our COVID restrictions. He begged because he adores her. I kind of let it go, although my heart was breaking to brush it off. When Dad asked me directly, I didn’t hesitate to say YES! Doing the right thing was far more important than, well, you know. So, Connor was the lucky recipient because he needed and wanted it. And I’m so glad.
Gloria has always gone home on weekend with children. Best thing ever. She travels in a big black bag with her Peace Quilt and her journal. Are you ready for this? She has been to the Red Sox parade when they won the World Series, to High School graduations with her own reserved seat, to Cape Cod (more than once) on vacation, trick-or-treating, mountain climbing…and more. Her journals will need to be preserved. There are photos of every event. Like with Connor, she gives a child her undivided attention and love on the weekend.
In the short term, I’m working on making Gloria into a “Flat Stanley” to send home on weekends. It doesn’t feel great, but maybe it will work. COVID is definitely a stumbling block.
Connor’s older brother was much like Connor. He adored Gloria. Another reason that Gloria needed to spend the holidays with them.
If I get in trouble, I’ll take the heat. 🙂
Spoken like a true teacher and lover of students. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, my friend. Well done! I don’t think we can be judged harshly when our intentions are for our students’ betterment. It speaks to your relationship with your students’ families that the father made this request.
I think maybe you’ve told me that Gloria goes home with the students before (you know that old memory thing gets in the way), but I’m pretty sure I have never heard about all of her adventures. I do remember the journal. That is priceless, especially all her rich experiences.
Thanks so much, Pete. I knew you would have done exactly the same thing. Children first! We recently had a Zoom with families so they could see the classroom and our Morning Meeting. We teachers decided that our Helper of the Day for Morning Meeting (doing calendar, etc.) should not be a child, as parents would be, well, you know. Gloria was the natural choice. Well, she was herself, trying hard and needing help from the children. What I didn’t expect was children rushing to Gloria to hug her when she was struggling. Of course they would do that! There we were, live on Zoom. No parent complained about a giant close group contact, with Gloria in the center.
My old memory is older than yours 🙂. Gloria’s adventures are better than you and I have. Lots of old blog posts on her weekends. She is what children need and love…and I won’t control that social distancing.
Yes it does Jennie. Gloria is magical. ❤
She really is, Debby. Thank you! ❤️
❤
That is a wonderful email Jennie and shows the power of Gloria…♥
Thank you, Sally. She is a legend, and powerful. I wish every child had a Gloria.