Day 35
I slide my key into Avi's classroom doorknob and unlock it, swinging it open. I smile as I walk in the door way. "Look at you with your fancy master key!" Avi says from her spot on her rug as she sorts math manipulatives.
"I hold all the power now," I chuckle as I hold my key in the air. "Nothing will stop me!"
"Alright, calm down Wonder Woman," Avi laughs. "How's your office coming along?"
"Pretty good for official day one!" I say. "I'm sure I'll end up doing more organizing as I go but it's basically functional at this point and I have my supplies where I want them. Now it's just learning all the computer systems."
"Good luck with that!" Avi says with a chuckle as she looks back down at the fraction bars she's sorting. "What time do we have to go pick Tyler up at the airport?"
"He lands at 2 so we should probably leave here no later than an hour from now," I answer. "If you haven't eaten, we should have time to get food on the way."
"Sounds wonderful because I'm starving," Avi chuckles. Her head shoots up as a key slides into the doorknob. The door opens to reveal Mrs. Hedstrom. "Hey Mrs. Hedstrom!" Avi calls out.
"Hey! I've been looking for you two!" Mrs. Hedstrom says. "I know you guys have to leave a little early today, but could you come with me for just a few minutes?"
"Yeah, what's up?" Avi asks, confused as she stands up and walks toward the door.
"Follow me," Mrs. Hedstrom says as she walks out the door. We follow her through the hallway and out to the front courtyard where a small, new tree stands.
"What's this?" I ask, my eyes landing on a cloth draped over something next to the tree.
"Wait for everyone to come out," Mrs. Hedstrom says with a smile on her face. I turn around to see the other staff member start to gather behind us in the courtyard. As the crowd starts to still, Mrs. Hedstrom calls out, "I've gathered you all here today for a dedication. As you all know, at the beginning of the summer, we lost a dear staff member and friend, Chloe Price, to a tragic incident. Today, we've planted a tree and engraved a plaque to commemorate her here at this school."
Mrs. Hedstrom reaches down and pulls the cloth off, revealing the plaque grounded next to the tree. On it, it reads, "In loving memory of Chloe Price. 'No greater love has anyone than this; to lay down one's life for one's friends.'" I look over at Avi as she puts a hand to her chest and her eyes begin to fill with tears.
"Chloe was a devoted worker at this school," Mrs. Hedstrom begins. "She wasn't just a custodian. She was a leader, a listening ear, a helper, a friend, a role model, and mentor to so many of our staff and students. She chose to be a champion for these students and the teachers she served every day she was here. Even in her death, dying to save someone else, she showed her devotion to those she loved. Let us remember her and her legacy by following in her example; to love in everything we do and to devote ourselves in everything we do no matter how tedious. She most certainly will be missed. And today we dedicate this tree and plaque as our memorial to honor the woman she was to us, our school, and our community."
The crowd starts to clap. I look around and see many red eyes and teary faces among the staff. She really did reach so many people, I think to myself as I feel something settle in my gut and immediately look back over at Avi. Though tears continue to trickle down her face, I know grief is not what she feels as she studies the tree and plaque. It's acceptance.