I always hesitate to lend books to students. Recently in class, a student shared some her family history. I immediately thought of my favorite book from Nadine: One Drop by Bliss Broyard. I waited a while to ask her if she'd be interested in reading it. She said yes. I told her that I would need to have it back. She said that I'd need to remind her just to be sure.
I brought the book to her ealier this week.I had it sitting beside my coffee table book and actually took a shot before I left for class. I opened it up briefly, to find a yellow post-it that I'd forgotten all about that read:
"return to Nadine Henneman."
I shared the story of the book with my student. I told her about Nadine being a "seasoned" and accomplished social worker. I told her about getting a huge stash of books from Nadine, but this was my favorite. I also explained that it was even more special to me because Nadine had passed away last fall.
My student's eyes got big. She said: "I'll be sure that you get it back." It made me smile. It brought Nadine into the classroom.
Nadine is still teaching young social workers...
...even from the other side.
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