Adios a mis abuelos...

The goodbyes have started at my Tonkaland and so I am in the need of the therapy of writing ans sharing and am posting a pic of some of my "big" kids and one of my most precious treasures... My Molinas... Are they not the most adorable couple you have ever seen?????

Marta and Joel Molina have been my honorary Grandma and Grandpa Volunteers for the past 10.. yes 10 years... (Mom.. do you remember her from Maya's baby shower? She remembers you! She actually remembers almost everyone from there and asks how they are doing!! )

After my first year of teaching I thought "Hey.. they have youth friends for the elementary kids.. why can't my kids have some Spanish speaking youth friends so that I can be sure each and every one of my students is "authentically assessed" and actually speaks with a native speaker???

Once again, God's Devine grace led me to the Molina's who live right down the road from Winnetonka. I have had 2 of their grandkids in class! One traveled to Spain with us and developed a special relationship with Ryan. They are the most wonderful, loving, caring, kind, sweet and involved people you could ever meet! I actually think of Marta as my Grandma. They have come in every Friday to just chat with my kids, with sometimes to the kids wonderful delight, accompanied by pan dulce, homemade tamales, cheeseballs and many other edible treats to go along with the treat of their presence.  We have celebrated many things together, including birth, death, cancer, and life.  After a rough confrontation with a student a few years ago, Marta happened t0 just walk in, and I broke down crying in her arms. How will I ever survive without her???

The kids and I have had such a strong influence from the beauty of a 50+ year marriage and how it thrives. When I go to their home for some reason (to drop something off, to chat, for Maya or Mika to visit) Marta always waits by the door until I arrive, then again until I get into my car until I leave.. waving the whole time. This is exactly what my great-grandma (Nana) used to do from her Window to us when I was a child. I feel so safe and small again when I get the privilege to "hang out" with my Molinas. And it really has been a privilege as they are so busy!! They are constantly volunteering at their church, doing meals on wheels and helping out any person in need.. Including me. The kids each year learn to love them as much as I do after the initial fear of having to test out their skills.. They soon learn how Joel is just a big teddy bear and that they are there to help and guide and laugh with. It provides so many students the essential grandparent "love" that many students don't get to have.

Next year, Staley is about 20 min. away from Tonka, so they are a little nervous about the drive and the new school, but they thank goodness want to stay with me..So we'll see.. Change...

I just couldn't bare not having them.  This summer the girls and I will go pick them up and drive them to Staley so they can see it's not so bad.. AND I tell them.. "they get to have windows in my new room!"  I thank God so very much for the optimistic beautiful Window to the real world they have provided to my students and me the past 10 years...