She touched my heart...

I just started teaching my 4th year of Kindergarten. Last year was my favorite class that I have had to far. I had so many kids that touched my heart but one in particular. Her name was Emma, a blond hair, blue eyed cutie! I will never forget the day that she came to "Meet the Teacher Night," the Friday before school started. She came with Grandma and Grandpa, standing behind them hiding the entire time silent. As the school year progressed I learned more and more about Emma. Here mom had a drug addiction and was in and out of her life. She has a little sister that she never gets to see. Emma lived with her grandparents, whom both worked full time jobs, so after school she would go to a daycare until they were done working. Thankfully her Grandparents were very involved in her life and made her feel like the very special little girl that she was. Grandma called me one day and asked how she was doing, because Mom had not shown up at Emma's birthday party. After talking about Emma, and how there were not issues and she was doing amazing, grandma began to sob! I was taken back and not sure what to say. She then told me that Emma explained to Grandma that when mom didn't show up at her party she wasn't surprised. She then told her that she wished I was her mom because I never let her down and would have shown up and brought her a gift. Grandma explained that everything they do at home has to do with me, "Ms. Downer said we have to do it this way. Ms. Downer doesn't let me do that" etc. Grandma thanked me for everything that I had done for Emma. After hanging up the phone I then proceed to sob! I never knew how much I meant to Emma because she was always to quiet and shy. From that day forward I talked so much more to her and she really started to open up. She ended the year as my highest student and my all time favorite. She is the sweetest and most deserving child. She hugs me every time to sees me in the hallway and whispers, "I still wish I was in your room."