School Days

Today is the first day of school here. I know this because we took Jake to the swimming pool yesterday since it was the last day it would be open this summer and every child in South Austin was there trying to squeeze the last bit of joy out of summer vacation before starting school. I also know this because Amy had to send her little girl to her first day of Kindergarten today. Which seems to be a very traumatic day in the life of a mommy.

I'm starting a part time job at our church's mothers day out program next week and I had to go to two days of orientation last week. There were six or seven teachers there who were also sending one of their kids to the first day of Kindergarten today. And they all got teary eyed talking about it. Now that I'm a mommy I can totally understand being happy that your little one is getting to start this new adventure, but sad that they are starting a new adventure without you. I'm a little sad that Jake will be spending the two days I'm working each week with other people at the church. But, odds are, I'll miss him more than he'll miss me!

Anyways, all of this Kindergarten talk got me to thinking about my first day of school. I don't remember much, but what I do remember is very happy. I know I was nervous to go to school and my mom had just started a new job so she couldn't take me. Thankfully, my daddy was able to go with me. I do remember walking into the class and thinking it was awfully big and I remember sitting at a little round table all by myself (I think). I know at some point I looked around the room and saw the familiar face of my friend Denise who went to church with me. I know she smiled and waved at me and I smiled and waved back. And from then on I was fine. I did find out later that daddy had stayed outside the classroom for awhile peeking in to make sure I was okay which is exactly what I would expect from him. Let me go my own way, but watch from a distance in case I need help. Both of my parents are good like that. Well, okay, mama might not always have kept a safe distance but that's what moms are for!

I do know that the first day of school was always very exciting for me. I loved all of the new books, folders, pens, pencils, markers, you name it. And in my spare time at home I often got out a spiral notebook and a good pen and wrote down a bunch of names on a piece of paper. Then I would take roll. Then I would pretend to teach something. Then I would pretend to grade papers. And then I would write down grades for all of those pretend names. Should have known I would grow up to be a teacher someday!

Anyway, good luck to all of the mommys and daddys letting their kids go today! And good luck to all of the teachers starting a new year. These two things, being a mama and being a teacher, really are the most important jobs in the world!