It's not all Glitter, Play-Doh and Roses, is it?

I started the year with 20 students of varying ability, age and ethnicity.

We’ve worked very hard to build a caring community. We cheer when someone does a great job; we laugh when someone tells a funny story; and we shake our heads when someone forgets the rules.

Last week one of our classmates packed all of her things, and left our school. She and her family moved back to their own country, as her father’s work at the university here was finished. We hugged her, smiled and wished her well on her journey.

Her journey back to Japan.

I’ve spent most of the weekend, as have billions across the world, watching and waiting. Wondering where our darling girl and her family are; and praying with all my might that they are safe.

I am bracing myself for many discussions tomorrow. We will talk about the earthquake, the tsunami, someone's dog, and all kinds of things I can't even begin to imagine.

I don’t know where her family is, but I have emailed anyone who might have an inkling. I am convincing myself that her family told me there were traveling a bit before they headed to Japan, but I’m afraid that might have been wishful thinking. She did, after all, spend a good amount of time at Disney World a month ago.

Tomorrow’s plan for kindergarten?

We’ll sing. We’ll dance. We’ll read. We’ll write. We’ll play. We’ll break some rules.

And we will wrap each of our classmates in love, hugs and comfort; all the while reminding ourselves that each moment is a gift.

And then we will pray for our darling, darling girl.