And as it goes, so did my first baby... Right through the doors of the elementary school and into kindergarten.
For the past couple weeks, he has been fluctuating between extremely excited and quite terrified. He was very nervous at the meet and greet and wouldn't even talk to his teacher. Yesterday, we talked about what today would be like, and after, he didn't want much to do with me until bedtime prayer.
We prayed over today, asking for bravery, peace, and excitement. We prayed for him, his siblings, his momma, his teacher, and his friends.
This morning, he woke up peacefully. I let him choose which shirt he wanted to wear for his first day of Kindergarten. He had breakfast quietly while telling me he wasn't sure he wanted to go after all. I reminded him that if he needed it, I would "share my brave," though quite honestly, I was feeling a lack of bravery myself and spent the morning trying to quell any emotions except excitement because I didn't want to trigger any negative emotions within him.
I asked if we could take pictures of him with his backpack. He asked why, and I said "because this is an important day that we will want to remember forever, the day you were very brave, and started your new journey at school." He agreed to do it, and started getting super excited. I could hardly keep him still or focused while we stood out front of our apartments taking photos.
He began chattering about his new backpack from his Grandma and how he couldn't wait to show his teacher. He told me he would give her a hug when he got to school.
We loaded the van up and dropped his back-pack clothed siblings off at daycare. His sister went on like nothing was unusual, but his brother refused to leave the van. He had a very tearfilled drop off, knowing he was going to be in a new room at daycare and his big brother wasn't going to be there at all.
Then, together, my first baby, the boy who made me mommy, my blue-eyed son and I went to elementary school. While I thought that the excessive amount of other children and parents and commotion would make him anxious and scared, it didn't. He got sad when we had to drive by the school and park a few blocks away, thinking we wouldn't get there in time.
We walked, hand in hand, to the school. He had a moment where he was nervous, and he said, "Mom, will you tell me a joke?" I gave him a quick interrupting cow, and he laughed hysterically, and all was well. We took a photo together to commemorate this walk together, just us, on our first day of school.
When we arrived at the school, he remembered exactly where the blue door was, and he took the lead to walking us there, still holding hands. We found his line, and he saw his teacher. He shrieked her name, went running, and did what he said he would- he gave her a huge hug. Then he showed her his backpack and his new school shoes and told her he was really happy to see her. She hugged him back and beamed a huge smile at me as we remembered the scared little boy from just a over a week ago.
One of his friends from daycare showed up right behind us, and he hugged her and he shared his brave with her, as she was nervous too. I couldn't help but just smile and hug him over and over and tell him how proud I was of him.
He kept asking why he was going to kindergarten. I would tell him "because you're so smart, you've graduated preschool, and since you're five, you start the new school adventure." Each time, he would just grin at me.
For the past couple weeks, he has been fluctuating between extremely excited and quite terrified. He was very nervous at the meet and greet and wouldn't even talk to his teacher. Yesterday, we talked about what today would be like, and after, he didn't want much to do with me until bedtime prayer.
We prayed over today, asking for bravery, peace, and excitement. We prayed for him, his siblings, his momma, his teacher, and his friends.
This morning, he woke up peacefully. I let him choose which shirt he wanted to wear for his first day of Kindergarten. He had breakfast quietly while telling me he wasn't sure he wanted to go after all. I reminded him that if he needed it, I would "share my brave," though quite honestly, I was feeling a lack of bravery myself and spent the morning trying to quell any emotions except excitement because I didn't want to trigger any negative emotions within him.
I asked if we could take pictures of him with his backpack. He asked why, and I said "because this is an important day that we will want to remember forever, the day you were very brave, and started your new journey at school." He agreed to do it, and started getting super excited. I could hardly keep him still or focused while we stood out front of our apartments taking photos.
He began chattering about his new backpack from his Grandma and how he couldn't wait to show his teacher. He told me he would give her a hug when he got to school.
We loaded the van up and dropped his back-pack clothed siblings off at daycare. His sister went on like nothing was unusual, but his brother refused to leave the van. He had a very tearfilled drop off, knowing he was going to be in a new room at daycare and his big brother wasn't going to be there at all.
Then, together, my first baby, the boy who made me mommy, my blue-eyed son and I went to elementary school. While I thought that the excessive amount of other children and parents and commotion would make him anxious and scared, it didn't. He got sad when we had to drive by the school and park a few blocks away, thinking we wouldn't get there in time.
We walked, hand in hand, to the school. He had a moment where he was nervous, and he said, "Mom, will you tell me a joke?" I gave him a quick interrupting cow, and he laughed hysterically, and all was well. We took a photo together to commemorate this walk together, just us, on our first day of school.When we arrived at the school, he remembered exactly where the blue door was, and he took the lead to walking us there, still holding hands. We found his line, and he saw his teacher. He shrieked her name, went running, and did what he said he would- he gave her a huge hug. Then he showed her his backpack and his new school shoes and told her he was really happy to see her. She hugged him back and beamed a huge smile at me as we remembered the scared little boy from just a over a week ago.
One of his friends from daycare showed up right behind us, and he hugged her and he shared his brave with her, as she was nervous too. I couldn't help but just smile and hug him over and over and tell him how proud I was of him.
He kept asking why he was going to kindergarten. I would tell him "because you're so smart, you've graduated preschool, and since you're five, you start the new school adventure." Each time, he would just grin at me.
We stood there talking a while longer, before the bell rang. I hugged him close, kissed him, and he said he loved me. I told him I loved him so much and was so very proud of him. We took one last photo together before he went in, and he walked bouncily in line to the doors, turning around every couple steps to look back, wave, at me, and smile.
And then the was gone.
I miss him so much already. It's funny, because I've spent countless days without him. Although, this is the first time I've really left him with people I don't really know, who aren't my coworkers, friends, or family. It's a scary new world out there for a momma trying to let go and let her baby boy grow up.
I didn't cry at all until now. Now, I sit here, huge tears rolling down my face and splattering my shirt.God answered our prayers, and he was strong, excited, and brave. I am so very thankful.
But my heart aches anyway.
I'm a little angry, too, that his dad is missing out on it all, by his own choice. I'm sad for my kindergartner who misses his dad, and his dad who doesn't really embrace what he's missing. His lack of interest and absence is always felt, but days like today it stings a little sharper and cuts a little deeper. It makes us stronger and braver though, I suppose.
But it's going to be okay. God's got this. Just like always.
I can't wait until 2:45 when I see him leaving the blue doors, running toward me, for another hug. I cannot wait to hear about his day and all of the things they did at school. I can't wait to see his grin, and have him with me again. And then, tomorrow, we start it all over.
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