During the COVID-19 lockdown, when the world felt still and confined, there was a warmth that filled my days—mornings with Elly. Those moments remain some of my most cherished memories.
I was working from the living room, conducting online classes, my days structured by the rhythm of live-streamed lessons. At 7:30 a.m., I would begin teaching, while Elly, enjoying the luxury of slow mornings, would wake up late. She’d wander out in a half-asleep daze, her little feet padding across the floor, and without a word, she’d clamber into my lap. I loved those morning cuddles so much. They became a ritual, a comfort in uncertain times.
At first, my students would giggle and say hello, amused by her sleepy presence. But soon, it became a familiar sight—Elly snuggled up against me as I taught, her warmth grounding me in a way nothing else could.
One particular moment stands out—a photo set taken while my students were engaged in an independent reading activity. Elly, in that way only she could, demanded attention. She was my girl, my shadow, my source of light. We shared so much—our love, our laughter, our silly facial expressions that only we truly understood.
I miss that smile, those bright eyes, and the way she filled my world with love. Those moments may belong to the past, but they will always live on in my heart.
