For Team Lawson, happiness is the first day of school.
Sloane and I headed back to school this morning, and what a day we had. As I held her little hand and walked her across the hall to her second grade classroom, I remembered this same walk two years ago. You know already that I had to blink back a few tears. Was it really two years ago that she was starting Kindergarten? Two years ago that we took that long, long, far-too-short walk across the school to her new classroom. I remember that I cried the entire walk while she was as excited as she could be. Her attitude was Finally! more than anything else. I got a quick kiss and a wave and she was off. No Kindergarten nerves for her.
Today I looked at her with a lump in my throat. There she was, so tall and excited in her well-planned outfit. Pink from head to toe. Pink cap-sleeve t-shirt, pink plaid scooter, pink socks, pink and white tennis shoes, matching pink backpack, pencil case, lunch box, and water bottle. Don't tell her I told you, but there was even pink underwear. Her pink stuffed unicorn named Sparkle was waiting for her in the car.
Today's walk was only across the hall so it took about five seconds. Still, in those moments I had time to think of all that had changed. There I was, teaching a new grade in a new classroom in a newly remodeled building, and looking forward to having my daughter on the same schedule so I could see her at lunch and recess. There she was, nearly a foot taller, the author of many short stories and poems, reading like nobodies business, already a person of great character.
There I was, feeling so proud of my little girl. Feeling a lump in my throat at how quickly time passes.
In those five seconds I had time to realize how much was exactly the same. There I was, teaching. Living my passion. Loving my work. Loving the chance to share my work life with my child. There she was, excited about school, excited about learning, excited about her friends. Eager to get to it. Giving me a quick kiss and wave, and off she went.
There I was, feeling so proud of my little girl. Feeling a lump in my throat at how blessed I am that some things never change.
The wonderful image above is by Carl Warren via Shutterpoint, and is used with permission.
27 comments:
How did I not know you were a teacher? What grade?
I love the ALL pink outfit and it really touched me that she is already into reading and writing. Its amazing how things change so quickly and yet it only seems like yesterday.
gives me a lump in my throat - thinking of those long past years.
i bet she looked so cute all in pink.
T even called and asked me what she should wear to class the first day. can you believe?
Hope you have a great school year. Nice to have her close at school isn't it?
I always had those lumps, too....and tears in my eyes...and now it's a different feeling I have and I don't even have a name for it yet....
here's to a great school year...for both of you !
I never got to experience this and it makes me sad. I've become a temporary afternoon car pool mom in the afternoon for my nephew. I am loving these drives.
i love the quick kiss and wave i get when i drop them off at school. and the sudden "mumma!!! i'll miss you!" shouts from hero as i turn around and start walking back.
I know those tears. I blinked for only a few seconds also, and my daughter went from her first day of preschool to a senior in high school...
*sigh
We are very blessed.
:-)
(((hugs))),
love,
me
... funny, I just posted a picture of my daughter's first day in kindergarten (pink and all!).
I know exactly how you feel; however, my daughter attends a different school than where I teach. It would be so nice having her close by, but we chose to send her to a school that could provide a few more opportunities.
Our open house was tonight (last night? oh, my), and our students will be there bright and early in the morning.
Here's to both of us as we embark on a new year of teaching!
Roban
That is very sweet! I have to say however that school isn't associated with feelings of happiness for me! My mom also taught at the school where I went to Grade 1 - and I remembered crying bitterly when she left the school hall to join her (older) class, and I was left behind with all the other first-timers. I went through agony for the first couple of weeks, afraid that she would forget to come and fetch me from my classroom at the end of the day! Although I performed very well at school always, I never liked school ... Interestingly, my son is now a teacher!
2nd grade...and wearing all pink--bless her sweet heart! And yours, Relyn! The excitement of a new school year is in the post...love it! Hope it will be a great year for you both. :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))
Awesome post. I wonder if my daughter will be feeling lumps in her throat on her first day of school...I know I will.
Excellent post. We move Shoe Queen into the dorm today and I am already weepy but trying to conquer in manfully.
Teachers know how to make little ones count
Love you
Jeanne
Relyn, how you tell those things is so touching to me...i can just picture liitle Sloane all smiling and all pretty in pink..ah..what a cute age that is!
but then as you say so beautifully, she'll always be your little girl!
Have a great week dear friend, take care and have fun too...
Lala
xoxo
(ps : ah at last you put your followers widget..now i can follow you! :-)
Well thanks! I have a tear or two myself thinking back on those years! I hope you both have a fabulous school year :)
Life's passages are so emotional. Savor each and every moment, they grow up all too soon. Your words remind me of another little girl, my own, and how much she anticipated and loved school. Now she is in her 30's and talking about going back to school once more.
Me again! I had to laugh after I wrote the comments above. Do you think my daughter would let me walk her to her new classes?
You know, Marilyn, she just might be old enough to let you. I wonder, though, will she wear pink?
Awww, that is so sweet. This year my babies will head to 7th, 8th and 11th grades. It happened in the blink of an eye.
That is happiness! Congratulations on a day to celebrate! One with lots of smiles!
Oh Relyn- you made me cry. Yes, time marches on and we teachers feel it the most, with the start and end of each new year. I hear you loud and clear! Savor each moment as I know do and enjoy your time. Here's to a wonderful school year for all of Team Lawson!!
What Patti said. Me too. I just got all teary eyed at how fast it goes by, thinking of the first time I saw my niece walk and now she is starting jr. high, and Lordy, how is that even possible?
A beautiful post.
And Happy New School Year!
:) Debi
A lovely post capturing such special moments. It's a wonderful thing to watch one's daughter grow and blossom and develop her strengths and personality quirks. Enjoy every single moment; the years go by so quickly. And I'm sure your students were thrilled to see you!
enjoy every moment! your students (and daughter) are lucky to have you in their life. :)
Harness that moment- I had a moment like that last year when I realized I was the teacher I wanted to be and time stood still for a bit.
Sloane is a a lucky girl! I went to the same school my mom worked at and I loved it--they were the best years.
Oh this is wonderful, so beautifully written...x
what a true blessing to have her in the same place..i know she is so proud to have her mom there as a teacher...you do such important work Relyn as a mom and a teacher...here's to the best year yet!
"already a person of great character" oh relyn that is such a wonderful thing to see in sloane and to tell the world. It says so much about her, you, your relationship and what the world will offer her in the future! you must be the worlds besttest mama!
xo
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