Oh My Baby, Little One

I could hardly believe that I was taking our baby girl to kindergarten on Wednesday. I was excited for her. She was giggling and smiling. Her lunch box packed and all her new supplies in hand. Hair curled at her request. Nail polish (with glitter). Pulling out all the stops to make this a special day for her. Hoping it would be the best experience for her and praying all the while I could keep myself together. How can it be that it's already time for her to go to school? Where did the years go? Why am I so stinkin' teary-eyed about this?

It brought to mind a book I've read to our kids a million times... a book by Kathi Appelt. I know every word by heart! "Oh My Baby, Little One"... the hardest thing I do is hold you tight, then let you go, and walk away from you...

"But even when I'm far away, this love I have will stay and wrap itself around you every minute of the day. So blow a kiss and wave good bye - my baby don't you cry. This love is always with you, like the sun is with the sky. It sits upon your shoulder while you sing a happy song. Clap your hands and tap your toes - this love will sing along."

"It nestles in your pocket and makes itself so small that when you're busy playing, you won't notice it at all. But still this love is with you, like the leaves are with the trees, like the sand is with the sandbox, like the kite is with the breeze."

"It slips inside your lunchbox and underneath your cap. When your teacher reads a storybook, it settles on your lap."

"And when it's time to take a nap - Shh, don't make a peep. This love will curl up close to you and keep watch while you sleep. It snuggles on your pillow and later on your sleeve. Now stretch your fingers, rub your eyes- this love will never leave. It stays beside you always, through everything you do. And you might be surprised to know, this love is with me, too. It nestles in my collar while I get my days work done. I hear it whisper in my ear, my baby, little one. It might hide inside my desk drawer or slip inside my shoe, but still, it's always with me- it stays the whole day through. It curls around my coffee cup and perches on my chair. It doesn't matter where I go, this love is everywhere. But oh my baby, little one, the sweetest thing I do is sweep you up and hold you tight and come back home to you!"
So, anyway, I managed to hold it together while we drove over to the school. I intentionally dropped Evan off at the middle school first because I didn't want to be in a rush to leave Natalie. She smiled all the way to her classroom and felt so big walking down that long hallway with her backpack:) We went into the classroom and talked to her teachers and unloaded her supplies and found her very own cubby. She gave me a big hug and while I watched her walk over to "centers" she said "Mom, don't forget your keys!" She's always giving someone instructions! Silly girl! So, I lingered for a minute. She sat at her table to begin working and never looked back. She really was ready for kindergarten and all that it brings. I was the one who wasn't ready. But I left anyway and drove home in tears. When I got back to the house, I was surprised that Chuck had not left for work yet. He had stayed to finish up something before work but I guess the Lord knew I was gonna need him. He looked at me and asked how she did. And I fell to pieces.You know, when your face turns red, you can't talk, your sobbing and snotty? Yeah, that kind of crying! I had to find other things to occupy my time until 1:30 when I could pick her up. I managed to get through the day and Natalie loved her first day of school! So now with 3 Hollingsworth kiddos in school you'll be hearing lots of stories about the school days, projects, field trips, and fun! Be prepared:)