Gloria is going to England! Yes! Fellow blogger/writer/poet Willow Willers at willowdot21 invited Gloria to come and visit her. Willow has always loved my posts about Gloria. Well, she just loves Gloria, and when you love someone, you need to be together.
This week at school we had a huge school-wide Bon Voyage party for Gloria. Everyone knows and loves Gloria, so saying goodbye was important. Gloria gave everyone a lei!
Gloria with her teachers
The whole school gathered in our Community Room. Gloria was scared. She has never traveled across the ocean. Thank goodness her good friends Rosie and Pierre were there.
Rosie is on the right, and Pierre is on the left.
Gloria couldn’t speak to all the children, but as soon as she saw Rosie they had a grand time and she relaxed. Then she looked at everyone and talked. Oh, how she talked! She showed them the big map on the screen, how she would fly from Boston to England.
Pierre has flown before. He’s from France. Gloria asked him to tell everyone what Bon Voyage means, because it’s French. Bon means good, and voyage means trip.
Gloria asked Pierre what he did so he wouldn’t be scared flying across the ocean in a plane. Pierre said, “I took my favorite book to read.” Gloria’s eyes brightened, because her favorite book that she hears every day at school is Goodnight Moon. She will definitely take the book on the plane.
But, the questions kept coming.
“Jennie, Gloria can’t read. Who will read to her on the plane?
“Weston, there are so many people on the plane. I bet someone can read to Gloria. Everyone knows the book.”
“Jennie, will she fly alone?”
“Yes. I’m not worried. Everyone will take good care of Gloria.”
“Jennie, when will she come back?”
“I don’t know. I think it depends on what she does in England. I’ll let everyone know when she plans to come back.”
Here’s the thing; children aren’t really worried, they’re just not quite ready to let her go. Does that make sense? Are they excited for her trip? Yes! Big Time! They just care.
Gloria might get to visit school children in their classroom, so she wanted to work on singing her ABC’s, and asked everyone to help. She started with “ABCDEF Giraffe.” Everyone laughed, and Rosie told Gloria she had to say G, not giraffe. Okay. Gloria tried again, and the whole school helped. “ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO Penguin. More laughter, and also more help from children. Finally she held hands with Rosie and Pierre and made it through the whole alphabet.
It’s moments like these that help children connect with Gloria. They know she makes mistakes and needs help. They know she is just like them. No wonder children love her.
Thank you Willow. Gloria is excited to visit you. ❤️
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
How exciting for Gloria and the children. They will be thrilled to hear about her trip when she returns. I love how you made it such a wonderful experience to say goodbye and talk about her trip. I’ll bet many of your little ones have never been on a plane before.
Gloria will be fine and so welcome when she arrives 😊
I know she will, Willow. 🥰. You’re the best. 💕
Thank you 💜💜
You’re welcome! ❤️
Yes on all counts, Carla. It was very exciting. I think you’re right that many of the children have never been on a plane. Many thanks for your lovely comment!
I’m so pleased that Willow is able to host Gloria’s trip to my country, especially as I was previously unable to do that. I am looking forward to reading about her adventures here!
Best wishes, Pete.
I hope she enjoys the trip Pete 💜💜
Thanks so much, Pete! It’s very exciting. Best to you, my friend.
Make sure Gloria has wellington boots, an umbrella and a mackintosh raincoat. 🌧️☔️🇬🇧🥴
yes indeed she’ll need all of that and I have been looking into that too!! 😉😉
I’ve heard it has been nonstop rain. Thanks, FR.
It’s getting a bit better, fingers crossed for Gloria’s visit!
That’s good news, FR. Fingers are crossed! 🤞
How exciting for Gloria and she will have a fabulous time here in England! It’s touching how the children care about her so much and I too was worrying about her flying by herself. Of course, she’ll have lots of companions and one can’t go wrong with a favourite book. I look forward to reading about her adventures with Willow – she will need her own blog! 😀❤️
hi Annika I am sure Gloria will have a great flight! We’ll look look after her and hopefully she will have lots of fun and learn new things.
She is also bringing her journal with her too so that will be like her blog! 💜
Awww … a journal officially makes her a proper explorer / traveller! 😀
Yes indeed it does.
Thanks so much, Annika. Yes, she will have a fabulous time. Of course the children envision her being a true passenger on the plane, which helps them to understand her journey. I’m so glad Pierre recommended bringing a favorite book!
How exciting this all is Jennie. I was delighted to see the photos and hear all about Gloria’s Glorious send off.
We are all looking forward to seeing her very soon.
Oh! We will be having one of our Guide Dog foster gals staying too. So Gloria will have fun with her too. Her name is Olivia.
Looking forward to Gloria’s arrival 💜💜💜
I’m so happy you enjoyed the photos and hearing about the party! How exciting that she’ll get to meet Olivia! We are huge black lab lovers, and my fellow teacher has a black lab that Gloria loves. Gloria is now at the ‘spa’ (dry cleaners) getting beautified. I pick her up on Tuesday and ship her on Wednesday. 😀
We are looking forward to Gloria’s arrival. 💜💜
How splendid did Willow. And how brave of e everyone involved. I hope the visit is a spectacular success.
I certainly hope so Geoff what a great adventure for Gloria, the Aqua Roomers and me!!
Love this 💕
I’m so glad, Alethea. Many thanks!
I’m looking forward to her adventures in England. It got me thinking that perhaps Gloria would like to visit our farm at some point. It would actually be wonderful to have Gloria and the staff and children there at some point! But, early stages here, we just signed the contract. Next stage is moving and getting started on creating a place of wild wonder and engagement with nature…how fun would it be to meet you and the children and Gloria and share in the magic!
Hi Alethea, I love your thinking and idea here. Where are you located? “A place of wild wonder and engagement with nature” sounds like magic, and just what children need. We can’t take field trips, but we can plan something where families can all come on their own.
We are on the top of a little mountain in Pittsfield, NH. We just purchased 46 acres which includes a 200 yr. old farm house, a large barn with a 100+ yr. old bowling alley, pond, and an old family cemetery. Predating the house there was a school. About 13 acres around the home is now lawn, but I want to re-wild it with pollinators gardens, produce gardens, an orchard, mazes/labyrinths and other surprises. It will take time, and hopefully help from others, but I am planning to create a refuge where people can experience immersion in nature in a manner that inspires wonder and connection. This long held dream of mine began with a desire to help children and teens, in particular, find balance and joy through the natural world, and I am hoping that school, youth groups, and families will be able to visit to engage with the landscape. Let’s keep in touch. 🙂
Just wonderful!! Yes, let’s keep in touch. Maybe the summer or spring of 2027?
That would be a nice time to aim for. 🙂
Yes!
💜💜💜
oh, how wonderful !!!
and so exciting 😃😁
Thank you, Beth! Yes, it is!!
How exciting for Gloria. Safe travels.
Thanks so much, Darlene!
England, probably France next, maybe even
England, perhaps France, maybe even Australia. Hope she makes it back soon.
Globe trotting Gloria
Big smiles here, Don! My fellow teachers are in your court.
What an event, and I love the send of. Kudos to you, Gloria, and Willow!
Thank you, Jacqui. Yes it is, and the send off was wonderful. Willow is the best, and Gloria will have a blast.
thanks for the Kudos Jacquie I hope Gloria enjoys her stay
How very interesting that Gloria is going to England. Such a unique idea. I hope Willow will take Gloria to the museums and places of interest in England. There are so many. Everything in England is interesting, pretty much.
There are lots of journeys planned for Gloria and I hope you will enjoy her trip Robbie 💜
Hi Robbie, it is very interesting and unique. She can spread her ‘story’ outside of America, which is wonderful. Willow will take Gloria to many places, and that in turn will be wonderful learning for our classroom. Yes, England is very interesting!
💚🙏
Jennie! Ms. Gloria! Finley, Zeb, Heart, and I are SO excited about the trip to England! Oh wow!!!
And the visit with Gloria’s friends, the sharing, questions, alphabet (so cute 🥰 tee hee)….there’s so much goodness and joy in this!!
You continue to inspire us all and now, Miss Gloria’s flight across the ocean only proves the best of humanity~ it’s good people that love no matter what!
These kids will forever hold a special place in their hearts because of how you share the world and its great people with them!
Thank you, Willow! I’m a bit peanut butter and jealous! I’d love to go with Gloria!
We love you, Jennie, and wish Gloria a magnificent trip! Bon Voyage!♥️💚❤️
Oh Karla, I knew how much you would love this post and Gloria’s new adventure. It seems like yesterday that she was with you in Missouri, and that’s the farthest she’s ever been. Until now. Willow is the best, and Gloria will have a grand time. Thank you for your kind words and good wishes! 🥰
Hi K L we agree Jennie is a wonderful person and a great teacher who inspires her Aquaroomers!
Don’t be jealous join us on our adventures 💜💜😀😀
I love, love, love this – for Gloria, of course – but especially for the little ones. Their questions were entirely endearing. Thank you so much, Jennie for sharing. Loved the pics! 😘💝😘
Thanks so much, Vicki! I loved their questions, too! They were the heart of her bon voyage. Really. I know you understand. I’m glad you liked the pics! 😍
Oh the stories she’ll come back with!!! 🤣🤣🙏🏼🙏🏼😎😎😎
Oh, yes!
Such an adventure for Gloria, and fodder for a delightful book in the making!
Yes, a wonderful adventure! A book? Annette, I’ve wanted to write a book on my teaching adventures, like Millie the Quilter, and of course Gloria.
Olivia is a lovely gentle dog I think they will get on well💜💜
I know they will. Gloria loves labs. 😀
Ohhh how exciting! Lucky Willow. I perused her website and Gloria should feel right at home. Safe travels, dear Gloria.
You are right on all counts, Laura. Many thanks!
she will be fine 💜☺️☺️
Yes, she will! ❤️
Jacqui I hope it will be fun 💜💜
The title of this post gave me a turn because I thought Gloria was leaving the Aqua Room for good! Whew!
Don’t worry she is only visiting me …she will be returning full of great tales I hope 💜💜
I’m sure you will take excellent care of her, Willow!
I promise I will 💜👍
Big whew!
Wishing Gloria a fun time in England. looking forwar to Willow’s reports on her stay.
I hope that Gloria and I can turn some heads 💜💜💜
I’m sure you will. 😁
Me, too. Thank you, John.
😁
Fingers crossed
😁
👍👍👍
😊
safe travels to Gloria. I can imagine there will be quite a welcome home party when she returns!
I would lay money on that 💜💜
I think her welcome when she returns will definitely be big. Thank you, Jim.
I’m sure you will miss her.
Some of the kids tell me they already miss her, and she hasn’t even come back from the ‘spa’ (dry cleaners) yet.
👍
Have a fabulous trip, Gloria!
Really hope she will 💜💜💜
Thank you, Cathy!
I’m sure Gloria’s trip will bring many teaching opportunities to the children and they won’t even know how smart they’re getting because they’re having fun hearing about Gloria’s adventures.
yes indeed and that is what is so amazing about Jennie’s way of teaching 💜💜💜
Exactly! Thanks, Anneli.
Oh ! Jennie I see you have Gloria flying to Southampton… I guessed she come to London Heathrow? 💜💜💜
Willow, no worries. She will come to London Heathrow, based on your address. My fellow teacher is the ‘techy’, and she was trying to put a map up on the big screen for all the children. Your address is her ticket. 😀
excellent 💜❤️🩹
I will email you when I ship her.
Thanks 😊😊😊
She comes back from the ‘spa’ on Tuesday, so I should have her packaged and ready on Wednesday. I have your address. 💕
💜💜💜
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Thank you!
I am so happy that Gloria is going to visit Willow. It sounds like a wonderful journey and I’m sure there will be stories to tell for years to come.
Dan, I knew you would be happy… well, more than happy. You have visited Gloria, and you’ve written a book with Willow. Win-Win. Yes, I’m sure there will be many stories for years to come. Thank you, Dan.
well I hope so 😊
💕
Hi Dan we are eagerly expecting Gloria and we are hoping she will enjoy our trips 💜💜😀😀
I’m sure she will. She’s a lucky lady.
Another great lesson and experience, Jennie. I especially enjoyed the kids’ questions. Who knows? Gloria’s visit may inspire some of your students to travel abroad someday. I hope Gloria is bringing her diary along to write about her adventures.
Hi Pete, the children’s questions were my favorite, too. We used our Big Book Atlas to see where she was going. She will have her journal and also Goodnight Moon. This whole adventure is amazing!
What a fun post. I hope Gloria has a wonderful trip.
Thanks so much. I think she will have a very fun trip.
She didn’t come and visit with me!!
😀
I wonder if Gloria will have ‘afternoon tea’. And, after tea, does shoe know what a ‘loo’ is,, just in case she has to…you know… ‘go’? Have fun, Gloria.
By the way, have you heard the song, ‘Gloria’, featured in the movie, ‘Flashdance’?
Steve
Haha! She will have fun, I’m sure. Yes I know the song, and also an earlier Gloria song, “G-L-O-R-I-A, Gloria.”
Oh, my, I had forgotten the earlier song. I have the Flash Dance song in my boxing exercise playlist.
😀
Oh, Jennie, this post is such a delight. Thanks for all the wonderful photos. Happy trails, Gloria! Hugs.
Aww.. thanks so much, Teagan. Gloria is off on a wonderful journey!
Safe travels to Gloria – how fun!
Thank you, Yvette!
😊