Daily Archives: September 3, 2009

Today is the second day of school. Here’s a picture of our two big kids on their first day.

(See the dress Ellie is wearing? My mother-in-law hand-smocked that dress for my sister-in-law’s first day of kindergarten. Isn’t it precious? She lovingly made every stitch and then carefully preserved it for the next generation. So sweet!)

I had to laugh yesterday. As the parents herded out of the building toward the special prayer and bagel session, at least two of us were singing “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

I adore my children and I love having them home with me. I love being a stay-at-home mom! But I am one of the few moms who doesn’t get weepy at sending them to school. I am one of the few moms who actually gets excited to ship them off on this new adventure of learning and socializing. And — let’s be honest — I’m thrilled at the prospect of having a few hours each week to myself!

Part of me (the part heavily influenced by my super-mommy, homeschooling friends and our uber-traditional Mrs. Cleaver family members) thinks I should feel guilty about this, that I should be sadder on my daughter’s first day of kindergarten and my son’s first day of preschool. But most of me is perfectly confident that we’ve placed them in good hands. Most of me rests assured that it is healthy for women to have non-mom times, moments — even short-lived ones — in which they can tend to the other parts of who God created them to be. This doesn’t diminish me as a mom nor increase me as a woman. It just is what it is.

I firmly believe this and have stood emotionally strong in spite of this monumentally transitional period of our lives. That is until I opened a package from Ellie’s teacher.

She gave it to me yesterday, but I didn’t open it until today. Inside the petite bag was a tissue, a cotton ball, a bag of chamomile tea, and a note. It read:

Dear Parent,

Thank you for entrusting your child to me. Your child and I are companions in learning and I am looking forward to our many adventures in Kindergarten.

You have let go of your precious little one. After you have wiped your tears, make yourself a nice warm cup of tea. When you hold the cotton ball close to your face, remember the gentle touch of your little lamb. And remember our good Shepherd, Jesus, will always hold them in His hand.

May God give you His grace and peace today.

Okay, maybe I’m not so okay after all.

But I know that God loves me and He loves my children even more than I do. They are in His hands and in the hands of others who love Him. Let me say it again: we are extremely blessed! And I’m okay with that.