Thank You and Good Luck Mrs. Tracey!

After three great years today we had to say goodbye to Chris' wonderful school aide, Tracey. If you have read my previous posts you will know how incredible the people are at my son's school and Tracey was no exception.  She patiently listened to his stories about his chickens and she would tease him about how pigs were better. She helped him foster new friendships and do things that were hard for him-but within reason.  She not only encouraged him when the going got tough, watched out for sensory overload, and made him do his best work but maybe most of all she helped him develop his wonderful sense of humor and his basketball skills! This may seem trivial but those things boosted his social confidence and helped him make friends.

School isn't just about learning facts, it's also about learning how to work and play with others, how to be part of a group working on a project and yes, even about how to have fun with each other. Tracey helped him with all those things. She taught him how to laugh at the small stuff.

I was always so glad we were in a school that gladly provided an aide, but we were twice blessed because we also had a good one. The longer I live the more I believe that people and pets come into our lives at just the right time. So while we sadly said goodbye and wiped the tears from our eyes, we know that this time has come for a reason.

But here is the thing that touched me most of all: Last summer when Tracey was offered her old job back she didn't say 'yes' right away- first she had to make sure her 'boy' would successfully transition to middle school. He did. This is probably not something most teachers' aides would do. Just the special ones.