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Tuesday, August 14, 2007

The First Day

Yesterday was Olivia's first day of Kindercamp.

Kindercamp is a program which our school district has initiated which helps ease kids into kindergarten - thereby hoping to deal with and alleviate any anxieties that the children may have about going to school.

Yesterday, Olivia woke up, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed, excited to start her first day. We drove to the school and assembled in the gymnasium with all the other children and their parents. The students were soon ushered back to their classrooms, ready to begin their adventure. As they walked away and we watched them disappear down the hallway, my friend Jim said, "...there they go...with not even a wave goodbye..." It was then that I got a little bit teary-eyed - but managed to hold to together. After all, we parents would be in the school the entire morning and I would be driving Olivia home.



This morning, however, on day 2, Olivia woke up, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed and excited again because she was going to ride the school bus! I wish I wouldv'e been quick enough to capture the expression on her face when she pointed down the road and exclaimed, "Mommy, the school bus is coming!!" (Okay Mom, hold it together...this is, after all, just a 'dry run'. School doesn't REALLY start until the 28th....this is JUST kindercamp...) The bus moniter emerged and taught Olivia the safe way to board the bus and off they went, down the road. Destination: Adventure!


Now I'm faced with the long walk back down the driveway. Surprisingly, I took a few deep breaths, thanked the Lord for the beautiful morning, and tried to push out of my mind that I've just sent my baby girl out to face the world all on her own. I made up my mind that I wasn't going to cry and instead decided to take some pictures of the flowers growing along the way.

How beautiful they are - created by God just for me to enjoy this morning. But then I saw it - the flowers were crying.

Still - I'm okay...there is a lot that I'm going to be able to accomplish while Olivia is in school and this is going to be a good thing....

Then I came in and started typing...and did really well until I typed the words, "...I've just sent my baby girl out to face the world all on her own." It was then that I could no longer hold back my emotion. The tears are falling...she's in Your hands Lord. Keep her safe. My baby girl is growing up...

...but I don't have to like it.

9 comments:

Pat said...

I can only imagine that your own Mother had those same emotions when you left for your first day of school. I have almost an identical picture of my girls boarding the bus and then my grandson's first day.
One of my favorite songs is "Sunrise, Sunset"...it says swiftly go the days. How true.
By the way, she is so adorable ~ and looks full of anticipation; how wonderful for her, you must have prepared her well.

Anonymous said...

How well I remember those same feelings on the first day of you and your siblings going off on your first days of school. I had the privilege of wlking your to school for the first couple of weeks but the walk home was torturous. Now your all grown up with children of your own and experienceing the same emotions. I pray for Gods blessings on you and all my grandchildren and for their safty. Love, Mom

Pat said...

See? I told you Mom had those same feelings.

Margie said...

I think that program is for the parents anxities not the kid's.

Proverbs 22:6, no one does it better than you!!!

My daughter starts 9th grade this year. Yikes

Jada's Gigi said...

No we don't have to like it at all!! but she sure does look cute getting on that bus!! Jada went off to Pre-K this morning..very excited!

Anonymous said...

I cant believe my baby sister is going to school. I can only imagine how you must feel because I know how I feel hearing about her off to school. Its hard to believe that shes growing up. Way to fast in my opinion.

Mrs. Mac said...

Did you survive? Just checking. It's just one of many weird sad days in your motherhood experience. Wait til she starts driving ;)

Anonymous said...

OK so I know I notice the random things but the picture of Olivia I see chauncy checking out the bus making sure its safe fo rher to get on. See even Chauncys sad shes going.

Anonymous said...

Lord bless that sweet little girl [and her Mommy] as they go through this important stage of growing up.

David has strep throat and missed the first day of 1st grade! In fact he missed the second day too, and will likely miss the third!

See how they grow...