We would establish a charitable foundation in her name.

A foundation designed exclusively to support public school teachers facing terminal illnesses—grants for medical travel, classroom continuity funds, and emergency rent support.

As I described the foundation, a miraculous transformation came over her. The deep, haunting shadow of defeat lifted from her eyes. A spark of the passionate fifth-grade teacher returned.

“For teachers?” she whispered, a faint smile touching her cracked lips.

“For teachers exactly like you,” I promised.

She swallowed hard. “Could we… could we buy books, too? For kids who don’t have any at home?”

I laughed, a wet, tearful sound. “Yes, my sweet girl. We can buy all the books in the world.”