After an evening spent in prayer over our girls, morning came and it was the First Day of School 2010!!
The first day of 2nd grade for Josiah and Kindergarten for Adalie. A big day in both our girls' lives. A day where Summer transitions into Fall, freedom into schedules and lazing into learning. They were ready.... I was not.
Both girls were really excited!! They woke up with enthusiastic smiles, excited to meet their teachers, dying to wear their backpacks, wanting to use their lunch boxes and water bottles, ready to wear their cute first day picks!! Adalie's first words this morning, before her eyes were even open, were "good thing I have a new back pack and a new lunch pail!!"
Thankfully, Daddy was home to take the 1st Day of School pictures. They were so adorable and I was so proud of them both .... that even biting my lip could not contain the waterworks. And so I busied myself with breakfast and lunches, hair styling and dress buttoning.
We double checked that Adalie could zip her own skirt and remember her please and thank yous. For today would be her Big Day, her day to stand alone and be Little Adalie. She knew the ropes, but she was still a wee bit nervous. However, as we entered the class, excitement overtook nerves and she looked like a pro! She stashed her backpack in her cubby, carefully signed her name, Josiah helped her pick the best job of the day (wiping the white boards), and she sat down to complete her morning paper. I mustered up enough breath to bend down, look into her eyes and smile, give her a kiss, wish her luck and my love and walk out the door.
This was it...... she was ready to fly!!
Josiah was also a bit nervous. A new teacher, a combination class, and many hopes and prayers for a good year! She whispered to me as we were getting ready, "Mommy, I am excited, but I am also a little nervous and sad." Although a girl after my very own heart, I only wanted her to see enthusiasm from me..... and so I bit my lip harder and prayed for the tears to hold back just a moment longer. Josiah lined up behind her classmates listening to her new teacher's rules, and then under her teacher's command, she waved goodbye to Mom and Dad as she went into her new classroom. I stood next to Seth and watched her bravely enter a new school year. Once they were all inside I stole one last glance through the window, and my heart lept for joy as her eyes met mine. I blew her a good luck kiss....
As I walked to the car, Adalie's sweet Teacher's Aide caught me in my tears. She said , "Come back with me, you will see she is fine." But I replied, "Thank you, I know she is fine, I gave her my kiss and said good by and now she is yours...."
And so I went home for the first time all by myself. I felt as if I couldn't breathe. But I know I have a God who goes before them and after them...... and so in Him I will trust.
We pray that God will fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
We're here for you whatever this life brings
So let our love give you roots
And help you find your wings
It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly!!
(Poem stolen from a friend who shares my Mommy heart!)
