Happy September sweet friends!
Is this your first week back to school? Have you bought a can of pumpkin yet and allowed yourself to bake something that fills your house with the smells of fall? Are you counting down the days until you sip your first Pumpkin Spice Latte?
At our house, we’re embarking on one of our biggest parenting milestones yet—kindergarten. It’s hard for me to believe that my first born, my only boy, the kid who transformed me from a sleeping-in 24 year old, to a Mama with unmeasurable, wild, bear-like love, now owns his first lunch box and backpack.
Today I’m showing up, raw and real with you guys and sharing a letter I wrote to my son. Maybe this will inspire you to do the same or at least, you’ll know that you aren’t alone in this back to school stuff.
You and I….well, we’re excited together, our hearts ache together, we’re there for them, hanging on tight and then letting go, because we know they’re ready for this. Hang on, sweet friends, grab this new adventure, hold on tight and squeeze every drop of goodness you can out of it!
Dear Judah,
Today we went to your kindergarten open house. As we loaded in to the car, you were very excited, but as we pulled into the parking lot and I opened your door, you confided in me that you’re nervous. I reassured you that I’d be right by your side and that we’re a team.
We walked into the school together and as we passed the front desk, you laughed as you noticed that your shoes weren’t matching. I smiled at you and told you that it’s no big deal.
Together, we wandered the halls, met your new teacher and explored the library. You wanted to hold my hand and although you didn’t need to, it was fine with me. As we walked those halls, you squeezed my bracelet so strongly that I thought it was going to break, but I know that it’s only a matter of time until you’ll never want to hold my hand in school. So, hand in hand, we learned about your new school today.
Afterwards, we went on a date for a special treat. We drove through the drive-thru and then I parked the car and invited you to sit in the front seat with me and drink your shake. You looked so big and yet so small sitting up there today.
In between big slurps of your shake, you twisted and turned knobs, asked me about the CD player, the volume controls, the heater. You’re a thinker and you want to know how everything works. It’s one of my favorite things about you.
When I think about you starting kindergarten, what I want you to know most of all is that God created you the way He did for a reason. You are wonderfully and uniquely made. Never try to be like anyone else, but instead, remember what makes YOU special.
What I hope for you is that you’ll be known as one of the kids who is kind. Some kids won’t have friends and some kids will be made fun of. I hope that above all else, you’ll be the kid who sticks up for what’s right. Be a friend to the kid who sits alone. Say hi to the person who feels overlooked and look for ways to make someone else have a better day.
From the very first day you joined our family, we knew that you were special. Here’s the thing—all kids are special, but some don’t believe it. Be the person who shows others that they matter. Help them believe it.
When I think over these last 5 years as your Mama, I see many ways where I could have done better, but I don’t see ANY ways in which you could have done better. I see you as smart, funny, creative, sensitive and everything God created you to be. This is your new adventure and I know you’ll do great. Do what’s right even when it’s hard, have fun and don’t forget that we’re always on your team.
Love,
Mama
Angela can be found blogging on allmomdoes on Mondays. To read more of her blogs, click here!
