Oh my, oh my..... how time does fly!
It seems just weeks ago, I was watching this little, snaggle-toothed boy walk through the double doors, into his first year of school...... and feeling as if my heart were walking away from me.
This mama had a harder time transitioning to this life change than he did. I remember agonizing during the year leading up to school about the best way to educate him.... should I homeschool, put him in public school, find a private school? I wanted him to have the best possible start for his "official" education.
Now, his Kindergarten graduation is coming up next week, and I wonder how it came so soon. I'm grateful for his little, country school that gave him a great first year.
Just last week, I came with my camera and took all the kids' yearbook pictures...... and I saw in their faces and smiles, the results of a small, close-knit community school.
Yesterday, I gathered with other school moms and community members, and peeled apples, and baked apple dumplings and pies all day in the school cafeteria in preparation for the school's annual Ice Cream Social. Everyone knew each other, and the 9 hour day of baking didn't seem tedious in the least bit, with all the conversation, laughter, and shared work. Students came in and out to help.... they made signs, and decorated the school. Community, as it was meant to be. Education, as it was meant to be.... a joint effort between parents and teachers, and the local community.
And I ended my day.... and I will end this first school year.... with gratitude.
It seems just weeks ago, I was watching this little, snaggle-toothed boy walk through the double doors, into his first year of school...... and feeling as if my heart were walking away from me.
This mama had a harder time transitioning to this life change than he did. I remember agonizing during the year leading up to school about the best way to educate him.... should I homeschool, put him in public school, find a private school? I wanted him to have the best possible start for his "official" education.
Now, his Kindergarten graduation is coming up next week, and I wonder how it came so soon. I'm grateful for his little, country school that gave him a great first year.
Just last week, I came with my camera and took all the kids' yearbook pictures...... and I saw in their faces and smiles, the results of a small, close-knit community school.
Yesterday, I gathered with other school moms and community members, and peeled apples, and baked apple dumplings and pies all day in the school cafeteria in preparation for the school's annual Ice Cream Social. Everyone knew each other, and the 9 hour day of baking didn't seem tedious in the least bit, with all the conversation, laughter, and shared work. Students came in and out to help.... they made signs, and decorated the school. Community, as it was meant to be. Education, as it was meant to be.... a joint effort between parents and teachers, and the local community.
And I ended my day.... and I will end this first school year.... with gratitude.
13 comments:
Hello, I have been reading your blog for a while now and your music and poetry are both wonderful. I remember when my own son and daughters went off to school for the first time! I don't think it was as bad as when my twins went off to college and I was left with an empty nest. That really got to me. Your son is adorable. Thanks for great music, poetry and great blog entries.
Sir Laughsalot is just darling. Your writing about him and "graduation" pulls on my heart strings. Its a long time ago but i do remember that feeling with my own boys.
Community can be the life blood of the town.
wow!! what a great story! i loved that picture you conjured in my mind of all those people baking yummy warm apple pie and dumplings in a huge kitchen together, laughing and talking and sharing stories and memories, and making new memories right in that moment.
mmmm . . . can i come to your ice cream social? warm, homemade apple pie with a bulbous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top sounds yum, yum, yummers! :)
Wonderful post Blue. Sounds a little, no a lot, like paradise. Tell Sir Laughsalot congratulations!
judy- nice to hear from you. i'm sure i will suffer empty nest syndrome when that time comes, too!
sue- there IS wonderful community here where we live.... the type that you don't find much anymore, even in rural areas. it's been a breath of fresh air, as much as i have moved around.
christianne- wish you could have been there, too... even the ice cream was homemade! and i can attest that the dumplings and pies were very delish. :)
mike- i'll pass that on to sir laughsalot. thanks!
that's wondreful photo, blue & i so love the story you share with it. the words are tossed around a lot, but the whole idea of it takes a village to raise a child seems to ring true the more mothers & fathers i know ... especially when that village is making dumplings, apple pies, & homemade ice cream!!! YUM!!
How nice to get to spend the day baking pies and apple dumplings with other moms for your kids. My oldest three are all in school, and my littlest is just a toddler, so when she heads off to school in a few years I think it will be hard for me. School is out, so I have all of them with me now, at least for a few months. :)
He is such a cutie!!!
My daughter is also ending her first year in school. It's kind of a heartbreaking milestone, isn't it?
Sounds like you made the right choice about school. I can taste those apple dumplings from here (or at least wish I could). Now you have all summer together. :-)
I remember watching my oldest son's brave little back as he trudged off to kindergarten. He turned and waved over and over, for as long as he could see me, then went valiantly on by himself. I had three younger ones at home and no car so I all I could do was watch him walk until he was out of sight.
Last month he turned 39. Time does indeed fly by, but my heart still tugs when I watch him drive away after a visit. I still see that sturdy little back, braced to face the world.
What a wonderful post! I can hardly believe this year is over as well. It seems like yesterday when I moved here and was praying for smooth transition for the kids into school. They got out last Friday....and they all did very well.
I hope you are well there and I look forward to hearing all about your summer plans....
Have a great week!
It sounds like you and your beautiful boy are in a good place.
Those small rural schools are a real blessing. Congrats to your son on his graduation.
Post a Comment