Send my love and gratitude to the school district that raised them

The book my daughter Katherine and her friend Hillary wrote arrived on the first day of school for the Appleton Area School District, perfect timing for two young ladies who spent their entire childhood guided and encourage by AASD teachers.

The book’s illustrator, Hannah Ribbens, is also a product of the AASD, and what a tribute to that school system her lovely work is!

Send My Love celebrates the portable power of love, which is a perfect message for the first day of school. Let’s send all those students and teachers off to school with an overflowing backpack full of love and support.

I also want to send my love and gratitude to every teacher, coach, director and administrator who helped raise these three lovely young women. Thank you for building such a solid foundation for them and every other student who passes through your school. Thank you to art teachers like Mrs. Wilda, who fostered such prolific creativity in her classroom that it spilled out into every other academic subject. Thank you to choir teachers like Mrs. Christensen, who taught children how to use their voices with confidence and joy.

Thank you to directors like Mr. Parker who set such a high standard of excellence and beauty in his productions.

Thank you, also, to the academic teachers, whose diligence and patience developed necessary skills for their students to thrive in the classroom and the world beyond.

On the first day of school, I often look back with gratitude at the teachers who gave us so many years of heart-swelling moments. The job has changed dramatically since I first sent my oldest son to kindergarten in 1992, but the teachers I know remain so compassionate and fiercely committed to their students. I’ve seen them face monumental challenges, regroup, and come back the next day fired up to make a difference.

So, I’m sending my love to them and to everyone else who could use a little pick-me-up.

If you’d like to experience the Send My Love magic in person, Katherine and Hillary are hosting a few book events in the area. Hillary will be singing some lullabies, Katherine will be hosting some games and the whole event will be lots of fun for everyone (especially me).

If you live in the Wisconsin, you can get your book signed and participate in all the fun at these events (which are all free):

This Saturday, Sept. 6, 3 p.m. at Jones Park in Appleton (as part of the Sol Dance Music Festival)

Sept. 10, 11 a.m. at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in Milwaukee

Sept. 13, 11 a.m. at Lion’s Mouth Bookstore in Green Bay

Sept 14 11:30 a.m. at Wonderland Bookstore in Shorewood

Sept. 14 3:30 p.m. at the Appleton Public Library

Come bring your kids! Or grandkids! Or students! Or friends!