Everyone's a bit crazy at this time of the school year. The kids can barely sit still, teachers are counting the days, and the principal is stressing out big time. Yes, summer vacation is almost here, and everyone is happy about it. Everyone, that is, except Ms. Patricia (me) who misses her weekly "kid-fix" during the summer. For six years now I've volunteered in the art classes at a K-5 school in East Dearborn, Michigan, a community primarily made up of Muslim families of Middle Eastern descent. My "role" has been to do whatever art projects the kids do, or to take photos for our school's web site, or sometimes just sit and enjoy conversation with these most interesting girls and boys.

So today, my next-to-last regular school day, was tinged with feelings of nostalgia. I always miss the fifth graders who will be graduating. Well, not ALL of them, but most. But even more than nostalgia, I'm filled with gratitude to the excellent art teacher, Ms. Susan Briggs, who has welcomed me so graciously for all these years. And she's invited me back for next year. How lucky am I?!!