I walked my daughter to school today. Her small hand firmly grasped mine as we took the quarter mile journey to first grade. Older sister is in middle school and older brother had to be there early, so it was just the two of us. The bright early morning sun was just cresting over our majestic Wasatch Mountains. Looking east was blinding, except that when my eyes were closed I could feel the warmth on my skin as the light radiated through my eyelids, making my closed eyes see red. We walked along the busy road, I waved at neighbors who were driving to school. The dog’s bark startled me, even though I knew it was coming. A nasty chewed up tennis ball had rolled to a stop, probably the day before, off to the side of the sidewalk. I wonder who overshot the throw for the eager pup.
We crossed at the street, and gave a warm greeting to the crossing guard, a mid-aged comely female, with a friendly smile.
Ally running on top of the hill at her school’s playground.
Ally still held tightly onto my hand.
We walked up the small hill to the school, gave a greeting to the 5th grade crossing guards as we walked through the teacher’s parking lot, and passed the kindergarten courtyard. Along the back side of the red brick, one story school is where my daughter lines up for class. One 1st grade girl besides my daughter stood as sentinel in a line of 15 abandoned backpacks in my daughter’s class line. Each bag was a marker for where little feet would stand in just moments after the bell rang. I image crumpled papers, homework folders and sack lunches inside: notes from mom, signatures for field trips and crumb remnants of breakfast, as little bellies were fed with a piece of warm buttered toast. For the moment the high-energy littles were running frantically on the playground before morning studies began.
A small group of kids were playing chase. The boys were clustered in a small circle, which was actually painted yellow on the black top. Outside of the central circle were two other larger circles, almost like the orbiting line of planets rotating around the sun. When one of the boys got enough courage mustered he would run out of the center, screaming as a enthusiastic, boy-crazed girl would chase, until she tagged him, at which point both of theirs eyes would light up and a scream would ensue. Nothing changed, except they were tagged, but they still ran, and the girls squealed. Eventually, the boy would run back to their safe zone and the little girls would star gaze happily at the boys, and wait for the run.
My sweet daughter stood fervently by my side. She showered me with hugs and kisses as we waited for the bell to ring. Shyly she avoided making any kind of contact with a boy who came in line after us. He had confessed his crush on her earlier that year, and even invited her to his birthday party. She was abhorred at the thought, and I kindly refused the invitation to his mother. So I was the wall, and she shimmied behind me, we pivoted as he made his way in line, and then promptly left his BB8 backpack at my feet, to go play with his friends. She let out a big sigh of relief.
Volunteering Mom with daughter
Oh these sweet children. As a mother, my heart longs to provide a safe haven every day. I encourage them to have adventures and to try new things. I protect them from dangers, and comfort them when they are sad. More than anything I want to save these moments, for some future day will come when the hand holding disappears and is replaced with carpools and late night talks. But for today, I celebrate the chase. I celebrate the hang hugs, and the big public kisses before she runs off for school. For today I celebrate the sun on our faces, and the pep in our step. I celebrate the courage she has to learn and grow at her own pace and in her own way. I celebrate her victories in trying something new, even though she hates things out of her normal. I celebrate her victory in mastering her morning routine, and me not even having to find socks for her to wear. Today I celebrate the happiness I see in her eyes when I come into the room, and her longing to be close. I celebrate today!
