I Get So Emotional

Yesterday’s weather was a pretty good reflection of the day’s events. It started out rainy but by the time we left to take the girls to school, it was sunny and bright. Around two it poured but it was sunny out so you could see the huge rain drops really well. And then the rain stopped, and it was clear again.

Yesterday was the last day of school/gan. Both girls had farewell parties which were bittersweet. In Millie’s class, she brought in some treats and small gifts for her classmates and teacher. They made her an album with each classmate writing/drawing a page, and with a photo of each child. They cheered her name in unison (very Israeli) and said a lovely good-bye.

As I walked her to school for the last time in the morning, she said she didn’t want to leave, that she liked the school and her friends and her teacher. I know that it was hard for her, being in a classroom all day where she did not understand a lot of the instruction. But she is Millie and so she found ways to still have a blast, make friends and even learn a few things along the way.

Aviva’s class also had a farewell party and they truly went above and beyond. There is no question that one of the best things we did in Haifa was choose this gan. For her party, Aviva brought Bamba and a gift for her classmates and teachers.

Her teacher did a whole event, where she told a story about a flower and butterfly. The butterfly has to leave an the flower is sad…and in the end, the butterfly comes back. Probably a poor summary, but when her teacher told me about it it was very touching.

She also received beautiful gifts: a canvas photo of her class; a book, photo magnet and gloves from the parent group; a handcrafted owl from one of her teachers; a book and framed photos from her BFF Itamar.

And so we began saying goodbye to Haifa. For myself, I am a bit in denial. Just wishing we could stay just a bit more…