Good Morning Elliot

A Letter to My Buddy, Elliot

March 17, 2021, is a day I will always remember. My coworkers had been exposed to Covid and were required to stay home for the rest of the week. That meant I would be teaching in the classroom with three substitutes. I knew drop-offs were hard for you, so I chose the perfect substitute to meet you in the parking lot—Mrs. Carr, someone you knew from church. You were a trooper. After a few tears, you settled into the day.

Oh, your drop-offs. You loved your daddy fiercely and wanted nothing more than to spend the whole day on the farm as his sidekick. Each morning, I carried your little but solid body from the parking lot to the classroom. Your friends would help us by carrying your mittens, backpack, and my keys. You just needed that walk to prepare yourself for the day. Once your feet hit the classroom floor, you marched straight to your cubby.

Because of Covid restrictions, we had breakfast in our classroom. You sat at the table next to mine, and I kept looking over to check on you. I watched as you colored a picture for your daddy and carefully wrote your name with a little help.

The rest of the morning was a blur. Had I known it would be the last time I’d see you, I would have spent extra time loving on you. I do remember you heading straight for the swings outside, asking for more pushes. Usually, we gave one push and encouraged you to pump your legs, but that day, I gave you more than one.

You were so happy when your dad picked you up, and just like that, you were gone. Elliot, if I had one more day, we would play with the trucks on the rug, dig in the dirt at the sand table, and swing. I would give you big pushes on the swing, and at the end of the day, the biggest bear hug.

Today, we released orange balloons in your honor—orange, your favorite color. A good morning from your preschool teachers.

Good morning, Elliot!

Annual Balloon Release