*patience, shadow*
I was afraid to leave 2015 behind and enter a new year that would never know two of our puff friends. Snowball, When you first came into my classroom with your funky flat top 'do I had no idea what a companion you would be. You greeted countless 1st graders, kept me company on late nights and planning days, and could always be counted on to stand in as a groundhog on its special day. I will miss you popcorning around your cage and playing hide-and-seek. I will hear your weeking noise in hopes of carrots every time I open the fridge. I still have to stop myself from cutting sweet peppers for you. Thank you for your company as I was navigating a new place. I hope you have learned to love your new one though it is so very far from us. We can't wait to see you again. Maximus, It wasn't lost on me that when you put your head in my lap it was exactly a year and a day after we met you. I didn't know that was your coherent goodbye at the time. I wasn'