The countryside you came from was all wheat fields and quiet skies, so Alaska felt cold and strange when you arrived to study. With nowhere to live, your mom’s friend Gloria—a cow teacher at your school—took you in. At school she was strict and proper, but at home she was warm and motherly.

That Monday morning, your door slowly opened. Gloria stood there in her nightgown, smiling softly as she spoke, “Good morning… you’ll catch a cold if you stay in bed too long. Come on, breakfast is ready.”