Gary, Brandan, and Sheila Douglas my amazing hosts for the weekend of celebrations in Mesa, Arizona. They invited me to Brandan’s graduation party and wanted me enough to send a ticket on Southwest Airlines ! I have never had such a loving and generous gift as a teacher. I think those are part of the Superstition Mountains in the background!
This is Vik and Brandan who both graduated and we celebrated on Friday and Saturday night. Notice the red truck in the background from Tia Rosas. It was the catering truck for the party at the Douglas’ house serving delicious Mexican food for several hours. Such a great idea!
Here are my guys. First is Brandon who is off to study mechanical engineering in the fall. “ON” as I called him to distinguish the two Brandon/Brandans was my computer helper. What would I have done without him? Next is Vik and he is going to prepare in college for work in computers! Then there is Brandan or “an” who will be at the University of Arizona with a goal of thoracic surgery! WOW. . . must have been the great math/science teaching I did in third grade! What a joy to have had a tiny part in their lives even if ever so long ago!
Saturday brunch time a group of 15 of my fellow teachers and even several former students came for a lovely outdoor, shady brunch. It was so touching that they took time on the holiday weekend to come to see me! Even Dr. Cooke , our principal, was there!
Here are Brandan with Wendy, his fourth grade teacher and Connie his sixth grade teacher. This family was always so thankful, cooperative, and encouraging for the work we did as teachers.
This just shows you the lovely Arizona houses. I didn’t get a picture of the beautiful pool in the backyard around which was sat. I was talking too much! All weekend it was perfect weather, blue sky, sunshine and in the 90s. My favorite temperature is 100! I loved getting in the car in the afternoon and it felt like a sauna. . .. wonderful for the back~
Thanks to the Douglases and the Ramaswamys and all the lovely people who made this an exquisite weekend!
TalesAlongTheWay 
This must be the best part of teaching Anne — seeing the wonders you helped to create all that time ago coming to fruition now. This was your moment also, and I’m so happy they sent you the ticket so you could celebrate with the families. You are truly a part of those families forever. Congratulations on a job well done.
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Oh Angie, thank you. Tears came to my eyes!
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It truly speaks to the heart, when a long ago student and their family reaches a milestone and looks back expressing gratitude to those who helped them reach that moment. None of us reach the pinnacle alone, but few take the opportunity to personally reach back as far as elementary school. This was a great weekend to celebrate. Wonderful to see you @AnneBell and to see our guys all grown up.
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Dear Connie, what a lovely comment. It was almost like going to my own wake, but a lot more fun !
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