Good Morning First Grader!

That's how I greeted Elisabeth this morning when I woke her up. She popped right out of bed, got dressed in a flash and was ready in no time. If only every morning would be like this. Oh, sorry....sometimes I am prone to daydreaming.

We had a very atypical morning. Elisabeth and Jacob did not fight or try to talk over each other on our way to school. Matthew and I drove separate cars so we could respectively leave for work after dropping Elisabeth at school. After we dropped off Jacob, we headed to Elisabeth's school.

Elisabeth was nervous and had an upset stomach.

We parked and walked her into school. We thought we would be taking her to her classroom but was told that all students except kindergartners were to wait in the library like any other school day.

Whoa.

My visions of helping Elisabeth put her stuff away and settle into her desk were quickly gone.

Apparently we didn't get the memo that our little girl was all grown up after kindergarten. I felt like I had been spun around, shaken, and unaware of what had just happened. OK, so it wasn't really that dramatic. Matthew and I played down the fact that we (OK, me) were disappointed.

I'm not ready for first grade. I'm not ready for her to grow up. I know she still needs me but it's difficult to let go of the things that I have helped her with during the first 6 years of her life. Like showing her the way. I guess now she's old enough to find her own way. I still don't have to like it.

We left on a happy note and shared a laugh with some parent friends of ours. Their daughter claimed to have a sore leg, limping for effect. At least we didn't have the only child with a new ailment this morning.

As I was driving out of the parking lot, I saw Father John walking towards the school. I am sure he was going to deliver a blessing to the students. I felt such a huge sense of community at that moment. Our beautiful girl, our school at our church, our pastor, our friends. I am just so proud - of Elisabeth and that we belong to such a wonderful place.

I feel the tug at my heart but know that we are truly blessed.