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Re: art and the loss of my dog
From: DAVID OR COURTNEY AMAN (aman1_at_TeacherArtExchange)
Kathleen's loss of her dog, and the good that came of it, made me reflect on my experience a couple of years ago when I had to take my little terrier for her final vet visit on a Friday morning. I was more private about my grief, but my substitute, a friend, told the truth to those students who asked why I wasn't at school that day.
On Monday morning, when I had car-rider duty in front of the school, a first-grader who was truly a wild-child and a constant challenge to keep focused, jumped out of his mom's car with a huge smile and proudly handed me a folded piece of paper. Opening it, I found his exquisite little drawing of a dog and his carefully written words, "I'm sorry your dog died." It was the surprise of his compassion and empathy that brought tears to my eyes. I'll always treasure that piece of paper, and although I'm still tempted to strangle him on occasion, I'll always remember the invaluable lesson he taught me.
~Courtney in NC~
(Another loss, of a pet rabbit 30+ years ago, sealed my decision to become a vegetarian. It just seemed to follow that I should take that step to prevent more suffering in the world.)
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