"Miss Neely stands next to Momma. She's
one of my favorites. She always push my
shoulder back and says, "Stand up straight,
Jamar. Don't slouch." Or "Pull your pants
up, No sagging." Or "You know, we will
all be happy if you just give your best."
She meets me at the door
with chewy-gooey cookies."
I think it's very important for those sharing this book with children to read the opening notes from both author and artist; it was an eye-opening experience prior to reading the book myself. Thanks to both for sharing their heartfelt reasons for the story told here.
When school ends on Friday, Jamar rides the bus to his mother's workplace. The ride there is joyful; it's the weekend, the bus is noisy, and the ride bumpy. It takes no time to see the brick building ahead. His therapist mother loves the people in her care, and reminds Jamar of that whenever she has the chance. Miss Neely meets him at the door, cookies in hand and an invitation to visit her garden where he is encouraged to plant his own tulip.
Once back inside, he hears Mr. Dillon's cane tapping in the hallway. They do a little dance, have a short chat before Jamar is aware of the guitar music coming from Mr. Riff's room. He is invited in for a listen. Before he knows it, Mama is announcing their departure. Taking the tulip with him, he waves goodbye to all of his friends. At bedtime he lets his Momma know that he wants to work where she does, taking care of people who are like family, when he grows up.
Too soon, Momma wakens him to let him know of an emergency at her work. He is worried, as is his mother. His friends are there to greet him. Not Miss Neely. The three move out to the garden, where he is told that Miss Neely 'is gone to another home'. It's hard for Jamar to understand what has happened; his friends explain that she didn't have time for a goodbye. They promise to help him take care of Miss Neely's garden. As he and his mother prepare to attend the memorial, Jamar explains that he doesn't want to say goodbye because she didn't say goodbye to him. His mother tells him that people don't always know when they will 'move on.'
"And when we're almost out the door,
she says, "That's why you give everyone
their flowers while you're with them.
Because you never know when they
will be moving on.""
This child's-eye view of a caring community and loss is given context in vivid artwork that resonates with warmth and emotion on every spread.
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