Grace's visit to school

Grace was still very apprehensive upon waking up on Friday and fortunately it didn't take very long to figure out what was bothering her.  She did NOT want to ride in the school wheelchair because she "didn't need it" and didn't want her friends to think she couldn't walk.  (This was the plan we had devised for her to try to keep her safe and not worn out while visiting at school) Thankfully, it just took a phone call to our incredibly resourceful and great friend, Nurse Jenny, to brainstorm a new plan and off we went to school!  Nurse Jenny also praised Grace for being able to speak up and share her feelings with us, something that she hasn't always been able to do.  Praise God that Grace is maturing emotionally in so many ways!

Once at school, sweet Nurse Diane pushed me in the wheelchair with Grace in my lap.  Ha!  You should have seen us....we had lots of stares and I'm sure there were plenty of people wondering what in the world was wrong but I had to remind myself that it was more important that Grace was comfortable than what people thought.  Grace seemed very happy that she was able to walk into her classroom without any assistance and her friends could see that she was doing okay.  Mrs. Kuhne, Grace's teacher, did an excellent job preparing Grace's classmates for her arrival.  They were all seated and one of the students immediately said to Grace, "We aren't supposed to jump up and run to you and so we are sending you air hugs, Grace."  It was so precious.  Another sweet friend, who has known Grace for several years had told the class earlier in the day, that Grace would be very uncomfortable if everyone stared at her....so thoughtful.

It's hard to know exactly what Grace thought of the day.  In true Grace fashion, she was pretty stoic throughout the time that we were there.  She sat at her desk and ate her lunch very quietly and listened as the students one by one shared their summer plans.  I could tell she was just taking it all in.  I sat off to the side and did the same.  I can't even begin to share with you the emotions that I felt as I watched her classmates and Mrs. Kuhne love her so well.  I think they were afraid if they got to close to her she might break, like a china doll.  But, they watched her and talked to her and told her how much they had missed her.  One of her friends had even changed his afternoon plans so that he wouldn't miss Grace's visit.  My eyes are filling up with tears right now as I type this and I am remembering the day.  I think the sweetest part of the day for me, besides watching Grace walk into the classroom, was hearing several of the children tell Grace that they had dedicated their fairytale , Connen's Dream, to Grace, who they believe is a heroine.  This fairytale they wrote, illustrated, acted out, and had published.  I know that Grace and I will never forget this sweet class and Mrs. Kuhne and the love that they have shown to Grace.