Out of the blue a former Aqua Roomer popped in to visit. It was Lizzie.
Lizzie visiting in 2018
My goodness, it was so good to see her. Lizzie is now Hadrian, a they, but with the same smile and bright eyes. Hadrian is in college studying mathematics and engineering.
After a gigantic hug, I put both hands on their cheeks and smiled like I was catching up on nearly 10 years of lost smiles. Well, I was.
They cried and laughed. I did, too.
Hadrian and I are with Terri,
the other teacher he remembers well.
We reminisced. Hadrian wanted to talk about summer camp and the playground. So many thing kept coming up, and the more they talked the more they remembered. Of course I kept those fires burning.
Hadrian needed this. I could tell.
Hadrian remembered Gloria and asked if she was still around. The conversation went something like this:
“Jennie, is Gloria still around?”
“Yes! Are you ready for this? She has just come back from England!”
“No way!”
“Yes. She’s as wonderful today as she was with you.”
Long pause…
“Hadrian, would you like to take Gloria home for the weekend?”
They didn’t know what to say, but their eyes and smile said it all. So, we went to the classroom to greet Gloria. Hadrian was fascinated with her journal and asked, “Where are her first two journals?” I said they’re at my house. “Can I read them?” I said, “Of course. I’ll bring them to school on Monday.”
So Hadrian, a former Aqua Roomer as Lizzie, has anxiety and issues. They wanted to spend the weekend with Gloria. Somehow I think she will bring much needed comfort.
Everyone has anxiety. Everyone needs comfort. Gloria can help.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
The ‘Gloria Effect’ is wonderful. And with your kindness, compassion, and understanding, so are you.
Best wishes, Pete.
That is so nice, Pete. Many heartfelt thanks. 🥰
What Pete said! 😘
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Gloria would be a perfect companion for anyone with anxiety. I’m glad Hadrian came back for a visit and was met with such a warm welcome. I’m sure they have wonderful memories from their days as an Aquaroomer. There are young folks in my life with anxiety issues (and some not so young).
It breaks my heart to see young people with anxiety issues. Hadrian even has a therapy dog. A warm welcome can do wonders. I wonder if they did a journal entry.
So much has to do with acceptance. I’m glad they have a therapy dog. ❤️❤️
Yes! Acceptance is key. Therapy dogs can do wonders. 💕
So good you are able to help so many kids. 🤗
Thank you, Marcia.
Touching base with what has been/is real in one’s life is important…having others who understand this are rare. Bless you and Gloria!
I think the understanding part is most important, regardless of circumstances or whatever. It’s sad to think that is rare. If only people would listen and not judge, right? Many thanks, Laura. Oh, Hadrian returned the journal today with a full page entry, and picked up the first two journals to take home and read.
What a story. I love seeing where my former students end up.
Thank you, Jacqui. I do, too!
You are so much more than a teacher, Jennie. You are a wonderful person.
My goodness, that’s so nice, Dan. I am deeply touched. Thank you.
Your mention of putting your hands to Hadrian’s cheeks reminded me of times I’ve done that impulsively, to show affection to someone not expecting it. Surprising to them, sweet moments to me.
That’s exactly how it was! I’m glad you had the same experience. It’s like a flower that suddenly blooms.
The biggest Compliment of all Jennie all these wonderful kids come back to see you and Gloria . That speaks volumes. … The children know they can trust them. I think that you could not ask for anyone more.
I really hope Gloria and Hadrian have a wonderful weekend . God bless you Jennie. 💜💜💜💜
Yes, it is the biggest complement. You hit on a key word, trust. Children need to know they can trust their teacher or another adult. That’s how they build confidence. I just listen and love. That’s it. Gloria does, too. Many thanks, Willow! 💕
You and Gloria make the perfect pair of carers … big hearts that embrace every choice, he, she or them … I hope that I don’t differentiate between any of these genders … just give love and help they are our future 💜💜💜💜🤗🤗
Thanks so much for your kind words, Willow. You are spot on!
💜💜💜💜
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I think Gloria will be a great comfort as well as you are Jennie.
That’s so nice, John. Thank you.
😀
Gloria is such a wonderful tool!
She really is!
Hi Jennie, thank you for another wonderful post!
You are welcome, Charles!
This post went straight to the heart. I’m so glad Gloria will be able to help Hadrian.
It went to my heart, too. Hadrian wrote a full page in Gloria’s journal.
Oh, good.
I thought about posting it, but wonder if that’s too much.
In this instance, I think it would be too much, out of respect for Hadrian’s privacy.
I agree!
Reinforcing Willow’s comment, children who grow into young adults don’t return to visit their former teachers unless they had a special impact on them. Debbie and I will be attending my former student Raine’s wedding in August. This one is going to be big for me because I had the pleasure of teaching her and her two sisters. All delightful but so unique from one another—future leaders.
You and Willow are right, Pete. They don’t return unless there was a special impact. How exciting that you and Debbie are going to Raine’s wedding! Yes, it is definitely big, as you’ll be meeting three former students. Wow! I am excited for you, Pete.
Gloria is a wonderful companion for such people. You too are so compassionate and loving with the children Jennie. Thanks 👍🙏👍🙏
Yes, she is. Thank you for your kind words, Kamal!
I love that your former students still ask about Gloria!
I do, too!
You are always welcome dear Jennie ❤️🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
Hadrian and Gloria…friends forever. Love you, Jennie! Thank you for the big smile on my face! 💝😊💝
Many thanks, Vicki!! 😍
this is such a wonderful post, jennie. filled with compassion, kindness and acceptance, and i’m pretty sure that’s exactly what they needed. i love hadiran’s name and am so glad that gloria went home with them. what a comfort gloria is to anyone who is struggling with anxiety, and anyone who needs her. gloria is always at the ready, just as you are. we, as teachers, hope to have the children we teach to feel comfortable enough and have trust in us to support them as they grow and discover who they are. what a lovely gift to both of you that you still have that connection.
What a beautifully said comment, Beth. I’m nodding my head with yeses as I read your words. Giving children comfort and love is all they really need; the rest builds upon that. Gloria is quite the steady, always there to listen and comfort. I do try to be the best Gloria I can be.
Welcome Jennie ❤️
Thank you, Kamal!
Welcome
Hi Jennie, this is an insightful post. Young people face a lot more complexities in life than you and I did. Anxiety is much higher. My Michael takes medication for depression.
Yes, it is very different and much harder for children today. I’m glad Michael gets help; he’s in the same boat as so many others.
😞💙
A touching story, Jenny.
Thank you, Libby.
Thank you for this post, Jennie. I loved that I got to read it. My friend, Crystal just reposted on the similar subject. Not all children have happy childhoods for so many reasons. My own sister age now 72 had a horrific experience for those very reasons. I learned very early about so many things in this world that create anxiety in children. They tend to be more empathic from those experiences. Your handling of this is absolutely heart warming.
Thank you for reading, Marlene. Was it Suzy Q who had the horrific experience? That just boils me. I have been learning about the many things that create child anxiety. I can pick up that problem in the classroom. What do I do? I spend one-on-one time with the child, especially in play, Then I can read and help the child.
Yes, it was Suzy Q. She’s had a double lung transplant in 2020 and still having the same anxious experiences. I keep telling her she is doing the hard work and I’m just her support system. It’s a hard world out there unless you want to squeeze into the box the world says you should fit in.
I like how you said that, Marlene. So true!