When she was in kindergarten she told me that a certain Friday was Bring Your Little Sister or Brother…or Small Cousin To School Day. Both my sister and I stood on our heads that week, rescheduling work appointments, in order to make sure that I was at the elementary school, on time, with the 2 year old niece, all curled and combed for BYLSBSCTSD. When I walked into the classroom, the teacher had this strange look on her face that read, “I’m confused, something’s wrong, and you’ve always seemed a little odd.”

Turns out it was Pet Day. Rosie didn’t want to be left out just because we happened to be between dogs (now there’s a story) so…she decided that a small cousin was basically the same as a pet. When I asked her about it, through my clenched smile , she said, “It’s Pet Day oooor BYLSBSCTSD!” I turned a hot face to the teacher to check that bit of info. and Mrs. Lowe slowly nodded a helpless, and slightly scared, yes/okay.

Rosie thought her plan was GREAT and wanted to get on with it. She proudly took Carrie by the hand and paraded her up and down the aisle of desks, just like she was leading a Labrador. All the children took their turn to examine and comment on Carrie as she toddled by. Some mentioned that they too had a tiny person. I was really glad that there were only a few other parents in the room. (Exactly what I get for not reading all those notes they send home.)

That was the year Mrs. Lowe was retireing and I’m so happy our family was able to make sure she ended a lengthy teaching career, having truly seen everything.