Wednesday, August 26, 2009

My big first grader

When she and I went to her new school together, this was the first thing she found. The lavender. She buried her head in it, and her hands. I joined her and we delighted in the shared joy. If I have a far away look in my eyes today it's because I am reveling in that precise instance and feeling so much peace within.

It would be hard for me to tell you what a journey the last year has been for us in our public school experience. I tried to handle it with grace, but the whole thing fell so far below my expectations that I often felt sad and anxious. That amazing part of the whole saga is that our daughter continued to thrive despite a rigidly strict and punitive teacher. What I learned is that her parents and loved ones are still her biggest teachers despite the influence of an 6 hour a day, 5 day a week commandant/teacher.

Her teacher this year sews and gardens in her free time. She has a worm farm and snails in the room, and in the first week, the class will be making their own napkins to use at school. I could go on and on about how amazing this new school is, but I will just sum it up to say that today, on her first day, I left the school beaming. Last year, on her first day, I left the school sobbing.


So many times in my life, what I have visualized has eventually come to fruition. It is not easy for me to be patient. Today lavender became my hallmark for continuing to believe in my long list of dreams. The scent of it saturated our hands as we walked into my daughter's brand new adventure. How can I ever forget that?

4 comments:

Melissa said...

I'm crying tears of joy for you right now. Good job, Universe. Very good job...

Cheryl Arkison said...

Aw. And I see that you sent her off in homemade style!

I think you need to make a lavender sachet with that fabric just so you can hang on to that memory and feeling a little while longer.

Dana said...

You have me with tears streaming down my face. Soo happy for you all.

patrick said...

Oh, I am so very happy for you and those precious kids! Very exciting to read this particular blog as I remember so well that day last year when you came home from the first day and my heart just ached for you. Even though my girl is now 16 I remember how very important this beginning is in their and our lives! We want them to continue to be nurtured as we begin the process of freedom to new experiences in life. ohhhhh, sweet lavender, one of my favorites!!! See u soon, Yeah!! Noreen (not really patrick)