My Angels

I barely got through the day yesterday . . .

It was like someone kicked me in the stomach.

As the bus came down the road, it hit me - this is my firstborn's last day of preschool FOREVER. I'm not prepared. I definitely wasn't prepared for the tears that came throughout the day. I don't know why I bothered with the makeup in the morning. It was off within an hour. Yes, I'm sentimental, as one of my cousins pointed out to me. I always notice the milestones . . . . and I knew this day was coming, but when the bus actually drove down the road . . . woah, it gave it a final moment that I just couldn't possibly put into words. I walked down the driveway with my young man, then I paused at the halfway point. I had my 2-year old on my left hip, and my camera in my right hand. I posed to take the snapshot of Big J getting on the bus. CLICK. Done. The next time he gets on a bus, it will be with a bunch of K-5th graders (gulp). And just let me say that the bus driver we get next year won't even compare to the one we have had this year. She has a heart of GOLD. She gives the kids gifts at Christmas (out of her own pocket, I'm sure!), halloween, Spring Break, Thanksgiving . . . and . . . don't you know she gave Big J a gift yesterday too. That's when the waterworks started. The bus driver has an assistant (they really need one with kids who attend, given that their ages are anywhere from 2-5 years old), and the assistant called me down to the bus yesterday and gave me the big gift for Big J - a big bouncy ball and a big bottle of bubbles - CUTE. Just perfect for kids . . . along with the fancy laminated nametag that was on their seat on the bus all year long. I can now hang it on my frig. It doesn't stop there with the caring . . . whenever I had to call her to tell her that my son won't be coming to school because of illness, she was always concerned and gave me a listening ear. She would say "well give him a hug for us!" How sweet is that!!
















So I have to leave this school now! It's just sad. Not only has my little/big boy had these awesome angel bus drivers, but he has had the privilege of having the same preschool teacher for the past 3 years (at our request). She has been amazing. I remember the day we went to the Open House and he was barely talking . . . we gave her tips on how he was communicating. One famous thing was that when he needed to go to the restroom, he would just plug his nose! UGH. That's how he "signed". Oh how we've come a long way! My "baby" is fully communicative now. I'm glad we have a video of when he was 3 years old or it would be absolutely unbelievable of how he just wouldn't talk.

I know that seasons come and seasons go. There is a time for everything. I will get through it and it will be good. Kindergarten is a great thing! And my son has made great strides in the last three years. I give thanks to God for a place like this preschool and for the people that make it a success. I just want to cherish this milestone for what it is . . . an ending to something that has been truly wonderful.