The Most Wonderful Time

Know what this is? It is a photo of my favorite day of the whole year. Well, sort of. Actually, it was taken today because I was so giddy on the REAL first day of school I forgot to take a picture. Really, what sort of mother forgets to take a picture of the first day of school?! Well, lemme tell ya! The the kind that makes paper chains to count down the days left of summer. Just between you and me, we don't even do that for Christmas.

I love my children. I do. But after 6 or 8 weeks of 24/7 summertime madness ...er, togetherness, they’ve really got to go. Every summer, it’s the same thing: refereeing countless arguments, pleading for more reading and less TV, the horror of post playdate messes, and hearing ‘I’m bored’ a billion million times. Seriously, if I never hear those words again, it will be too soon. To my satisfaction, it all came to an end the last week in July when the kids started school again. As I dropped them off at school with a dreamy smile plastered on my face, I was reminded of The Squire’s first day of Kindergarten.

I wore a grin on that day too as I loaded him up in the car. I remember him dressed in crisp new school clothes, with his hair perfectly coiffed, sporting a backpack bigger than he was. I knew he would be nervous and was prepared for a meltdown. What I did not expect was to find myself bawling all the way home. I know!!! It seems so uncharacteristic of a gal who loves school more than spiritual holidays. Believe me, it was a shock for me too.

Over the next few days he learned to love school, which eventually led us to attempt the school bus. That day at the bus stop, with video camera in hand, I coaxed my hesitant firstborn onto the bus. It broke my heart to see him so panicked about the bus ride that I felt compelled to follow in my car like the pajama clad, crazy lady that I am. When I arrived at school, I waited in my car to make sure he found his way to the playground. I waited and waited. I waited some more. I watched all the kids get off the bus -- everyone BUT The Squire. I was ready to hop out of my car in my slippers to investigate, when he finally came off the bus holding hands with an older girl, who had obviously taken him under her wing.

It was comforting to think some other mother out there (who I’m sure does NOT enjoy the first day of school more than celebrating Christ's birth) had taught her daughter to reach out to those who need a little extra help. Bless that woman! It was a tender mercy I will always be grateful for... and keep on tape for blackmail when he's a teenager. Honestly, do you expect any different from a mom who would rather fill a lunch box than a stocking?