The Beginning

I am such an Indian Giver. Here I've been wanting, even offering, to have my kids taken off my hands, and now I miss them. I kind of want them back. Sending them off to school this morning was a whirlwind that left me in a dizzy swirl of emotions, alone with Honey, when it was done.

Good to my word (to myself) I went to the gym this morning after feeding Honey at 4:45 this morning. It was packed. And the workout felt good, despite the early hour. Returning home to the quiet and dark house around 6:30, I pushed DH out the door with some gentle prodding to go on a run before he had to head off to work. With the few minutes I had alone, I actually read something spiritual and pondered. That hasn't happened for me in, oh, 9 years.

Pretty soon I heard the plunking of little feet on the stairs. It was Little C, hair all askew and rooster-like on top of his head. He was just waking up and needed a little cuddling. That hasn't happened for me in, oh, 9 months. Usually I'm tucked back in bed, sound asleep when he makes his way downstairs. It was nice just sitting quietly, with him on my lap, feeling the heaviness of his warm little body. He's growing up fast, but he's still such a little guy.

Then Miss A joined us, and we discussed our dreams.

Me: Did you have any dreams last night, Little C?

Little C: Two. One bad. And one good.

Me: What was the bad one about?

Little C: Horton Hears a Who.

Miss A: Was it about the eagle?

Little C: Yup.

Me: What was the good one about?

Little C: You, mom.

After the obligatory pictures in the front yard, we headed off to school, along with several of our neighborhood friends. In the hustle and bustle of the morning I forgot that today was not only the first day of school, but the first day at a new school, for my children. It hit home, when, as I stood by Miss A's door, I watched Mr. M across the playground. There he was shuffling nervously around, looking out of place and eyeing all of the little groups of friends chatting to each other. I tried to catch his eye, but it was a full minute of feeling completely vulnerable for my child, who didn't know a soul in the busy playground, before he saw me, smiled a sheepish grin and hurried over to my side. And, as if sent by angels, before he reached me, a friend from church swooped in and exclaimed, "Hey buddy! Good to see you." Mr. M grasped him in a grateful hug and immediately I could see his wariness disappear and the excitement return. I could have smothered that kid with kisses!

Mr. M began planning out his day with his new-found friend, and with a nonchalant glance over his shoulder, bid me farewell. Soon the bell rang and Miss A, standing stock still, lined up, ready to go into her class. I knew she would be surrounded by a gaggle of friends by the end of the first recess. Making friends for her is easier than 1-2-3. I turned my stroller around, to meet our neighbors we had walked to school with. We chatted as we walked our younger children back to our circle of homes.

Hurrying Little C into the van, we buzzed over the streets to his little preschool in the next neighborhood. He needed no prompting or cajoling. He hung up his backpack, took off his shoes and joined story time without a backwards glance.

Returning back to the house, I saw on the street corner the group of adults still out visiting with one another. It's nice to have friends who make the unfamiliar seem familiar. I think it's going to be a good year.