Do you know the way to San Jose?

No, not the Mexican restaurant. . . the place. . . as it happens, one of my favorite students is leaving me early. Yes, I know we only have 9 days left to be together. Yes, I know I'm supposed to be anxiously awaiting summer. Yes, I know that's one less to deal with for these last few chaos-filled days. . . .and No, none of that makes me feel any better! Marleni has been a source of constant joy this year. She has blossomed and had such fun in my class. She loves me and the feeling is mutual. She has fallen in love with the Babysitters' Club Little Sister books this year. She has read them voraciously -- every one I could find for her. And as she's been talking about leaving early, she asked me earlier this week if she could have something to remember me by. Her idea of something to remember me by was the whole series of the "Karen books" as that is how she FONDLY refers to them :~). The second half of the year has begun every morning with a Karen update. . . she could sit with me for hours discussing Karen's latest crisis (and often tried :~). She's ended her second grade year with just shy of 200 AR points. Not only has Karen stolen her heart, but she's also been one of the biggest supporters of the Magic Tree House series. She especially enjoyed the Titanic story; was completely swept away. She borrowed another book I had on the Titanic, watched the movie at home with her mom, and was so dramatic. As we finished the MTH book, she finished her book and we had had in-depth discussions, she said one afternoon, "Mrs. Fletcher, it's just so sad! I think I just want to go home and lie on my bed and cry for hours!" And for the next week if anyone mentioned the word Titanic she would look sad and cover her ears. . . . She embraced the story of Helen Keller in our reading book, and was dying to learn all the sign language I could teach her. She has been the most motivated student I've ever had and has enjoyed all the learning I could share. She did her best to keep me straight and keep me doing everything I was supposed to do (which was sometimes helpful and sometimes annoying) :~) She would have sat with me at every meal and come home with me if I'd let her. Her family is heading back to Mexico, which is sad on a number of levels. I'm so sad not to be able to see her in the hallways next year, so sad she's not going to get to enjoy these last few days with us, so sad to miss out on her hugs and conversations, so sad. . . . .I've been teary all week as she's been talking about moving. Today, I got more than my fair share of hugs from her accompanied by "Mrs. Fletcher, I don't want to go." I can certainly relate to that -- I don't want her to go. I don't know what the schools are like in Mexico. I don't know what opportunities she'll have. I don't know if she'll make it back to America. I don't know if she'll fulfill her dreams of being a teacher, singer or doctor there. I don't know if she'll maintain her amazing command of spoken and written English. (When she came here in Kindergarten, she did not speak a WORD of English.) I just don't know.

She'll have her favorite Karen book, a 2 page letter from me (complete with all my phone #s, snail mail and email addresses), a ruler, multiplication tables, a Hannah Montana pen, a magnetic US map, etc. tomorrow. How I wish I could give her more.

I've cried for the last 2 afternoons, and don't know how I'm going to talk to her father tomorrow when he comes to visit. I don't know how I'm going to say goodbye. . . my goodbyes are usually just summer goodbyes, followed by a gradual release before I'm not going to see them again. This one is sudden and sad, and I really don't want to say it.

Please say some prayers for Marleni. She's young and resilient and I know she'll be fine, but she has the capability to be so much more than fine. My prayers will be with her and I sincerely hope she'll find a way to stay in touch. I wish her all the blessings and opportunity Mexico has to offer -- and a reunion one day where we can recap all the wonderful second grade memories and catch up on all the great things that have happened since we were last together.

Many blessings, Marleni, Thanks for all the second grade memories you were a part of this year!