Keira's Grade 5 Teacher
Just weeks before Christmas 2016, our youngest daughter, Keira, was diagnosed with an aggressive brainstem cancer. She was 10 years old. The next 6 months were grueling: she endured countless rounds of chemo and radiation, all the while knowing it was a grim prognosis. At the same time, her older brother and sister watched with fear and trepidation as our day-to-day routine was turned upside down and we lived with constant uncertainty.
As parents and families do when faced with a situation such as this, we all rallied and did our very best to support Keira and our older two children. Despite the challenges, we still managed to do so much together: play cards, go for walks, watch movies, even travel to Disney. Keira herself was amazing and showed us a strength, compassion, and faith beyond belief.
Keira was unable to attend school during these 6 months, but she was able to visit her Grade 5 class on a few occasions. Before her very first visit, Keira's teacher, Nancy Froystad, had chatted with me to ask a few questions about Keira and her ordeal. On the morning of the first visit, Keira was uncharacteristically nervous. She had lost much of her hair during treatment and was typically wearing a winter toque whenever we went out. She also had to wear an eye patch every day due to double vision following her emergency brain surgery. Keira wasn't sure what to expect during her first visit and was feeling increasingly anxious as we approached the school.
When we arrived, the office notified Mrs. Froystad that we were there. She sent two of Keira's friends downstairs to greet her. The 4 of us went upstairs together. The two students headed back into the classroom quickly. When Keira and I walked warily into the room, what we saw was simply remarkable: every single student in the room was wearing a toque with their hair fully tucked up inside. There were plain hats, hats with pom-poms, woolen caps, beanies, and berets. And Mrs. Froystad herself was donning a winter hat along with everyone else. Keira exhaled, and a huge smile overtook her expression of uncertainty. I stepped back as it was not possible to keep the tears from flowing.
Keira passed away just weeks after this visit. Our family will never, ever forget the incredible sensitivity and compassion shown to Keira on this special morning by her classmates and by such a beautiful, thoughtful, and caring teacher. Thank you Mrs. Froystad!
