A Handshake in Heaven

Dear Dad,
My little buddy that I wrote about in my last letter came to visit me after school today. He was so cute. He came in the house (his first time in "teacher housing") and was like, "Wow, this is good" (referring to the carpet... most of the local village houses here have linoleum flooring). As he walked around the house, he kept saying, "Miss Nelson, your house is good (nice)." Too cute.

He was telling me about how his family is "getting more babies" (adopting) and I said I need to "get" a baby. I asked him, "How can I 'get' one"? He said, "Go to the 'hospible'. They have lots there." LOL! Love it! He also asked me who lives with me. I told him that I don't have any pets, children, spouse, or roommates. Just me. He sat down next to me and said very seriously, "Miss Nelson, I have an idea. I could live with you." lol I love these moments. I had to explain to him that I am pretty sure his mom and dad would miss him a whole lot.

Anyhow, we were sitting at the dinner table having spaghetti and chatting. I asked him if he was having a good school year and, like a good student ;), he said yes. He said it was good because I speak Cup'ik! This made me giggle because I can say very FEW words, but I always ask him in Cup'ik how he is doing. Well, this led to him saying, "My brother (the one that passed away in the spring) talked really good Cup'ik." I said, "Oh yea? I think that's awesome. I wonder if he is teaching my dad Cup'ik..." Then he said, "Yea, I think so. [Brother's name] is saying he loves m..us." I told him, "I think my dad is saying that, too." He told me they were probably giving each other a handshake in Heaven.

Gosh, I love these moments. Thankful for a student that helps keep you alive in my daily life.
Love you always,
Little Little