Kindergarten is almost over. I had so many trepidations about my little baby entering the public school system at the beginning of the year.
Is he ready for school?
What if he gets bullied?
What if he doesn't do well?
How am I supposed to let go of my baby?
And boy did I ever let the tears flow. He's my only baby...and I'm letting go of him little by little to become this little, mini-man.
Wow...I look back at the fears I had....and I just laugh. And laugh...and laugh some more. Big, fat, belly laughs
The instant we left Clayton's first Kindergarten parent-teacher conferences, the knot in my stomache unraveled. He was doing OK. Better than OK. He was excelling.
About a month ago, we had his second parent-teacher conference of the year. I guess it's always a good sign when the teacher starts the conference out laughing about this or that, referring to the times Clayton has made her laugh.
Mrs. Gilroy has always been great about relaying messages home in the form of a quick note jotted down in Clayton's assignment book. Last week she made a note about how there would be a substitute teacher on Thursday and Friday. I asked Clayton about it, and he said that her mom had passed away.
Instantly saddened, after having gone through the loss of my dad only months prior, I made a mental note to pick up a card over the weekend for her.
Clayton and I picked out the perfect card. It had no religious fluff, and it had a pretty butterfly on it. Perfect, considering their class had just finished studying butterflies. Clayton and I jotted a heartfelt note, telling her how sorry we all were, and that cherishing the memories helps. Clayton even signed it with a heart following his name.
Today when he got home from school, he walked in and threw his bookbag on his bed. I asked him how his day went. Fine. What did you learn today? I don't remember. Did Mrs. Gilroy like her card? Uh...mommy?
Just as I started to read his assignment book note:
"Hi guys. Just wanted to thank you for the beautiful card and thoughtful words. However, THANKFULLY, my mother has NOT passed away. I think Clayton may have been a little confused...etc."
The note went on and I could feel the heat moving up my neck into my face. Wow...maybe next time I should consult other moms in the class first. Wow...that is all I could think. Wow.
Embarassed as I felt, I realized that I needed to get over it. My little baby boy is turning 6 on Saturday. I'm guessing that this little mix-up is NOTHING in the scheme of what I have in store for me in the years to come!
