Tulips and Labradors

"Okay, kids," Miss Long, the substitute teacher, said as she passed cards out to Mihai's class. "Your task is to create a card for your mom or stepmom thanking her for all the wonderful things she does for you."Exclamations of delight erupted from everyone except Mihai. Staring at the blank card, his insides churned. He clenched his fists, wanting to tear it up into tiny pieces. It's not fair, he thought, swallowing the angry tears down. If Mrs. Flint was here, this never would have happened.Looking over at his best friend Isaiah, he sighed. Mihai's mom had left five years ago, leaving a note telling them she was returning to her birth country and not to contact her. They hadn't heard from her since. Dad no longer spoke about it. "Mihai, you haven't started yet," Miss Long said, patrolling the classroom. "He hasn't got a mother," Isaiah whispered. "Well, not one living at home.""Oh! I'm sorry," Miss Long said, pausing for a moment. "Well, is there another lady in your family who cares for you that you could thank?"Mihai thought about it. An image of Auntie Sue popped up in his mind. She was always kind to Mihai and remembered his birthday. She didn't have any children, but she had helped heal some of the hurt his mother had caused the family. Mihai smiled at Mrs. Long. "Yes," he said, and set to work.Carefully, he drew a picture of some of his aunt's favorite things--tulips and Labrador retrievers--before writing words of gratitude inside."Thank you, Miss Long," he said later. "I realized I've taken Auntie Sue for granted. She's done a lot for me and my family, and I want to thank her." When Mihai handed Auntie Sue the card on Mother's Day, she opened it and blinked back tears of happiness. "Thank you, Mihai," she whispered. "Sometimes Mother's Day makes me feel sad that I never had children of my own, but I'm so thankful I have a wonderful nephew who has reminded me I'm not forgotten." She gave Mihai a hug. "God never forgets His children, and I'm so glad we're both part of His family and can remind each other of that." -Cindy Lee