Avery’s legacy lives on at local school

It is very well known that Avery loved going to school.

One of her favorite early years of schooling took place the year she was a peer model in our district's ECE program at Gildo Rey.

She thrived under the care and teaching of Maki Maksuno and her team and we loved watching her deepen her love of learning.

Miss Maki became a special person to Avery but also to us!

She cleverly mixed in joy into all the learning lessons and we still giggle when we remember Avery's teacher conference that year: "Avery has a tendency to hold onto a toy for the entire morning that she knows someone else wants to play with, even when she is no longer engaged with it herself."

Ah yes, the big sisterness shines through and through!

While Aves had the sweetness to melt your heart at any moment, it was also no secret she was strong-willed, clever and very determined!

We can only appreciate this trait even more now, knowing it was also this same determination and strong-willed spirit that gave her the strength to fight DIPG brain cancer.

Avery moved on to kindergarten at a new school the next year after Miss Maki's class, but we still remained in touch.

When she got word of Avery's diagnosis the summer after her kindergarten year, she came to shower Avery with love and gifts at our home, something she thought was so special. (see picture).

We still keep in close connection with Miss Maki, she shares her Avery dahlia pictures as they bloom, sends messages often and also shares Avery's story to her classes and colleagues.

It's a special connection, one we are grateful for.

When we were gifted LOTS of playdoh sets this spring, there was no hesitation that the perfect place for these would be in Miss Maki's class!

I reached out to see if these were something her students might like and could use, she said they would absolutely love them!

I dropped them all off one rainy afternoon in March and smiled as I drove home at just the mere sight and conversation with Maki had made MY day!

Yesterday, I stopped to pick up our foundation mail and was met with a surprise letter from the Principal at Gildo Rey that made me cry (good tears!). (see picture).

Miss Maki, sharing her joy with her students and families, and also still sharing about the joy and life of Avery.

What a special gift to us all.

#AveryStrong