A Letter of Thanks

Recently I wrote a letter to Jake’s Pre-K Teacher, Ms. Celeste.  Mind you, I was terribly tardy in sending it as Jake started Kindergarten in the fall and graduated Pre-K in June.  Typically when the school year ends, it is nice to bring in a thank you for the Teacher that has done so much for your child.  I, however, was remise in doing this.  Bad mommy!!
I do have a good reason for this, but really (as a friend recently told me), a simple deed is better than no deed at all.
Obviously, I knew Jake would be leaving this Teacher and had plenty of time to reflect and pick a perfect gift for her.  But, I just couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye to her.  I actually think I was more attached to her than Jake was, and he really was! 
She did so much for him in the two years he was with her.  He made strides that blew our expectations and hers.  How do you thank someone who gave your son his voice?  I kept going back and forth on what I would give her, and no gift seemed perfect.  A Starbuck’s gift card?  Not good enough.  A gift card for the movies?  Not good enough.  Nothing seemed worthy.  I stumbled over this and failed and delivered nothing at all. 
I kept thinking, I will write her a letter today.  That day came and went.  The words never came to me.  I was tongue tied and didn’t know what to say, only because I had so much to say.  Does that make sense?  I wanted her to feel my gratitude.  My forever feeling of thankfulness for all that she did.  Every time I went to write, my mind froze.  Then, a few days before Thanksgiving, she was on my mind again and the words seemed to flow.  I only hope my words were not too late.
My letter to his Teacher:
Dear Celeste,
I'm sure at this point, you probably have thought that we all fell off the face of the earth!  Well, we haven't! 
I've just been tongue tied and have unfortunately fallen into the category of "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".
I have thought about you almost daily since Jake left to start Kinder and when it was time for his graduation to Kinder and him leaving you, it became very difficult for me.  You (and your staff) gave so much to Jake and invested so much in his success and it is because of you all that he is where he is today.  From where we started when he was 11months old to now, is incredible.  The strides and achievements he has made have been nothing short of a miracle and much of that success is because of you!!
I am forever grateful that you came into our lives and helped my son so much and there is no gift that would ever compare to the gratitude I owe you.  Please know that our silence was nothing more than denial and sadness on my part.  I was so proud that he was able to move on to Kinder, but was sad that it also meant he was moving on from you :(
So, during this time of Thanks, I give thanks to you for being so instrumental in my son's life!  Best to you and your family during the holiday season!
All my best,
Jenn