I remember (and right there, that's a shock, given the quality of my memory), anyway, I remember Elise's first day of kindergarten. (1999). We were sitting at the kitchen table and she was eating her breakfast and I was looking at her, feeling tired (we aren't morning people) and thinking, "Oh my gosh, this is my life for the next 15 years. Grey, early mornings at the kitchen table. Wow."
So, it was with shock and sadness that last Tuesday was Sasha's last 'first' day of school. Well, as far as I'll experience it. When she's off to college next year, her first day will not have an impact on my daily schedule (I may possibly be curled in a fetal position and sobbing, but technically, her first day won't have any impact on me).
She wasn't at the kitchen table drinking her cocoa, as Elise had been all those years ago. I 'deliver' cocoa to her room and she drinks it while she gets ready, I sit at the kitchen table still, with my coffee and newspaper.
Nevertheless, I was very aware that this was the end of an era. Setting the alarm to get a 'kidlet' off to school with breakfast, lunch and a kiss (when it's allowed), that's not going to be my reality next September, unless I'm like the creepy, obsessive mother in Love You Forever, and if I am, please whack me upside the head.
I feel like there's one of those montages running through my mind (like in t.v. shows when they want to put a cheap episode together). In the beginning, the girls always wore a tie dyed dress on the first day. We used to buy them at an art and wine festival every year, then we decided to start making our own. So a week before school started, after I'd rush ordered the dresses from Dharma Trading Company (because I procrastinate in EVERY area of my life), we'd be in the backyard with the gloves, dye, clothing and having a great time. Although, I do remember ANOTHER end of an era in the middle of that, Elise no longer dying dresses, but thongs instead (let me tell you, the dye goes a long way when you're only dying 2 inches of fabric). :-)
So then on the first day we'd get a picture of our two girls brightly dressed, looking cheerful (no, really), thumbs up (that would be Sasha, who is more apt to flash a different digit now) and ready to go off to school. Sigh.
I know next fall will hold new adventures for all of us, but for this school year, I am just going to happily/sadly wallow in every event, moment, passage that I can.
(NOTE: yes Sasha's first day was in August, see MANY references to my procrastination, hence the actual writing and posting of this blog)
My Bio
My name is Sharon Levin and I've been reviewing children's literature for 20 years. I founded and run the Bay Area Children's Literature List. My biggest passion (outside my family) is getting books into the hands of children and teens. My favorite thing is getting non-readers to realize that they're readers. I also LOVE t-shirts that have to do with books or literature. As soon as I figure out how to do it, I'll have a click through on the above picture so you can see my entire collection (and where to get them).
Love those first day of school traditions! Perhaps we can all tie-dye on my first day of work…?
ReplyDeleteAh, Fran Fran, I think tie dying thongs for you is out of my comfort zone. :-) And, I'm not sure where you're planning on working, but I'm guessing a tie dye dress will not really be appropriate.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, you will enjoy the empty nest too.
ReplyDeleteChange is hard. But easier when you have good memories to share -- and can actually retrieve them!
ReplyDelete