I'm not even sure I should be writing about this. Because I really don't know what to say. But my heart is so heavy. It's aching for a lovely woman. And her family. And a class of fourth-graders, most especially our Maxidoodle.

It was not even two months ago that they suddenly lost a classmate, a sweet beautiful friend, to pneumonia. She is still so missed every day in their classroom, and in their hearts.

I think I've mentioned before how they've been trying out a new approach, called the "family model," in Max's school. How it works is that for 3rd through 5th grades, the kids stay together as a class (also kindergarten through 2nd grade). They have a new teacher for each grade, but the teachers work together. As in, Max's 3rd-grade teacher, his current teacher, and his teacher for next year all collaborate on any number of things. And the classes from the different grades get to participate in some things together. Thus, the "family" in family model--a 3rd grade class, a 4th grade class, and a 5th grade class, along with the three teachers.

Well, yesterday this wonderful group of kids, Max's fourth-grade class, got news that their teacher from last year, part of their school family, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She's an incredible lady, and I know she'll fight like hell to beat this cancer. She's even hoping that she'll be back teaching before the school year is out. But I know the journey, even if successful, won't be easy.

And I know it's not easy for Max, trying to make sense of it all.