Welcome Back, Mr. Jackson

When my alarm goes off this Monday morning, I'm reluctant to get out of bed. I'm still trying to get over my last foster placement leaving me to reunite with their biological family. We'd been a family for months, after all. I had put a lot of time, effort, and love into helping the kid.

Sitting up and stretching, I remind myself that is what I do this for... to reunite the families ripped apart by circumstances or bad behavior on the part of the parents. I'm not a super dad, by any means. Just a normal guy doing what I can to honor my late wife's wishes and give the kids who need it some hope of living a normal life.

After dressing, I make my way to the kitchen and start a pot of coffee. As it brews I pour the last of the cereal I had purchased earlier in the week and reflect on all the times I have gone through this same routine of saying goodbye and grieving in some way the loss of a child in my life.

At least things will be back to normal in a few days, I remind myself. I had taken several days off from teaching last week after the departure in my home so I didn't wind up crying in front of the class or getting grumpy with a student.

Soon I have eaten breakfast and finished getting ready for my day at Dandelion High. I know some of my students will be happy to see me return. Others, well... Let's just say that Math is not their favorite subject and since I teach it, they dislike me too. I get it. I had similar feelings toward my chemistry teacher in high school and a few profs in college.

Driving toward the school a little later, I stop by the nearest Bakery, a place called Slim's Pickens. I decide to get a couple dozen donuts for my students as a treat. As I order, I make sure to get a few special ones for those with food allergeies and have them placed in a separate box.

Before I leave the place, I spot an apple turnover fresh out of the oven and decide to throw that into my purchase as well. I've always loved Dandelion's apple products and I enjoy eating it on my way to the school.

Once there, I make my way through the mostly empty halls to the classroom that serves as a second home and my workplace. I carefully place the boxes of donuts out for the kids on a table to one side of the room and sit behind my desk waiting for their arrival.

I smile wide despite the sadness I still feel as I hear multiple footsteps approaching the open classroom door. These kids need me too, I think to myself. But first let's enjoy the reunification with donuts, Then we'll buckle down and get to work learning.

As the first of the students make their way into class, I point out the table with the donuts and say, "Good morning. Please help yourselves. One only please so that everyone can have one. The small box is gluten free."