The Next Chapter is Upon Us

After our trip the Dells, it was hurry back to Chicago to attend an informal gathering at the school's playground for incoming Kindergartners. We weren't sure how it was going to go, because Lainey was overly tired and was feeling super shy. Mark held her outside the gate, while she looked in on the bustle of children running and jumping. And then magic happened...little Lucas from her daycare ran over, threw his arms wide, and yelled, "Lainey! Come give me a hug!" Lainey beamed and scrambled from her dad's arms into Lucas's. With the confidence of a friend by her side, Lainey joined the fray and eventually allowed me to walk her over and introduce her to her teacher, Ms. Stankus (who Lucas also has--YAY!).

The school was unlocked to allow bathroom access, so as the play winded down outside, we decided to take Lainey in for a mini tour. Watching her walk down that wide, shiny hall, lined with lockers, I got a huge lump in the throat--which surprised me. I didn't expect to get overly emotional about the start of school. After all, Lainey has gone to all-day daycare since she was 12 weeks old. We're used to the separation. No big deal, right? But, daycare is small; the school is big. There's less than 40 kids total at daycare; Lainey will have 25 kids just in her classroom this year and the school has grades K-8. Watching her skip down the hall, the girl, who is usually "so big for her age," seemed so very tiny to me. Certainly not old enough to navigate the busy and choppy waters of this school! But, the time has come--and it is both exciting and terrifying to think of what this next year will bring. A new teacher, new environment, new rules, new things to learn, and new friends, which will bring all new social drama (and trauma) and joy and heartbreak and pride and embarrassment and success and failure. That's a lot for a parent 5-year-old to navigate!

Thank goodness we have such a brave girl, because I'm going to need her to hold my hand and tell me everything will be alright...

Let's do this, kid!

Elaine Rae Brandi - Age 5
photo credit: Ford Photography