Thank You South Slope Elementary

I would like to thank South Slope Elementary students in Burnaby for the package of thank you cards that I received today. It was unexpected and greatly appreciated.

They have participated in the Salmon in the Classroom program for many years. They receive chum salmon eggs from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and care for them in their classroom until they hatch as alevins. They feed them until the tiny fish reach the fry stage, and then the kids release them into Byrne Creek.

As volunteer streamkeepers, my wife Yumi and I have had the privilege of guiding the kids to the creek for several years now.

This year’s South Slope Elementary release was particularly meaningful to me, because my Mom was dying of cancer.

It was uplifting being with the kids that morning, and seeing them so full of life and wonder.

Later that day I told Mom about the fry release, and though she was heavily medicated, she indicated that she understood, and was happy.

She loved kids, she loved teaching, and she was a teacher of teachers.

She died the evening of the fish release, surrounded by love.

Today:

I am happy that the day she died, my Mom knew that Yumi and I were teaching children.