All dressed up in new clothes and shoes, sporting a new haircut and armed with pencils, crayons, ruler and even a new box of Kleenex.
- Yes, it is the FIRST day of Kindergarten and my granddaughter sports a flashy smile and sparkling eyes and excitedly talks about all the new stuff she will be seeing and doing. She embraces the new adventures awaiting her on this voyage through life. Anticipation of recess and reading stories mesh with the knowledge of “growing up” serve to remind her that she is no longer in the ranks of toddlers but has been promoted to the haughty heights of the matriculated search for knowledge and maturity. Her world grows beyond Mom, Dad little brother and little sister. She will seek and see new opportunities to explore and absorb. Her life unfolds into a colorful, artistic array of choices and consequences (some good and some – well less than wonderful). Although My Little Oiseau (Bird) is not quite ready to fly the nest, she will be discovering the existence of her wings.
- Mom wipe away the tears of mixed emotions – fear and pride. Both extremes playing hopscotch in her mind. Memories of diapers and 4 am feedings flood through her mind. The gentle touch of an innocent kiss lingers on her cheek. The pride of seeing her baby girl, her firstborn, grow into a young lady. Seeing her add another milestone to the “first words”, “first steps” and all the other “firsts” previously encountered in her life. The fear of bruised knees and bruised hearts creep over her eyes as she remembers her own thoughts and fears in days past. Words of wisdom from her own Mom and Dad seep through her lips as she speaks the same wisdoms parents have spoken throughout the millennium: “Be good! Mind your Teacher and I will pick you up right here …. Etc etc etc.” Only in the dark of the evening will she look into the mirror and realize that SHE is exercising the same scenario she participated in 20 years earlier but in another role.
- Grandpa and Mamou listen and smile in observance of this new passage in both Mom’s and Daughter’s life. We reminisce on the day we experienced the same event with another little girl, several years past, but not do long ago in our minds. Even though I was not there when THIS Mom made her first steps to school, I remember in another life when I watch a similar scene play out long ago and in another land. This is the first time for both of them, Mom and Daughter. – Even though Mom has two more “waiting in the wings” at home. Seeing her FIRST born step across the threshold from “babyhood” into being a “schoolgirl” and embracing the transition as gracefully and as proudly as anyone has ever seen. We wonder who is the most affected? I am NOT saying the emotions of the moment does not affect us, Grandparents. On the contrary, We have a double dose of emotion. Seeing our “Little Momma” pass through her own door of maturity as well as the long familiar “first day of school” jitters felt by the “not-so-little-one, anymore” BIG Girl. We see the circle of life revolving through the same phase that we have known. Like our own parents, we have to force ourselves from inserting our “will” into their transition. It is this freedom to feel and learn that will help mold both Mother and Daughter into their next phase of life. We know that this “freedom of Feeling” will be another brick in the wall of strength and wisdom when Momma stands in our shoes, sees and reminisces this day when ANOTHER little granddaughter steps across that schoolyard gateway.
The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL goes beyond the lunch bell and classrooms. It is endured and enjoyed by the WHOLE FAMILY!!!
Does this sound familiar around your house?
DRIVERS: BE ALERT TO THE LITTLES ONES ON THE ROADS!!!!!!!!! Our future is in YOUR hands!!! Drive Carefully!!!
May God Bless You and Yours
Gene
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