Just when you think they don't need you...

 
 I never got around to sharing much about Aidan's first day of "big school," or his first weeks, and I won't blabber on forever, but flipping through my pictures on my laptop, I'm reminded of so many blog posts and thoughts I've wanted to share with you (my many, MANY faithful readers).  I think this will be the first of a lot of catching up posts.

So, back to THIS post.  My big boy on his big first day of school: Gotta show off the backpack!
The first days I walked him all the way to his class.  Checked out his new locker, so proud to see his very own picture on it! 

Each day I tried to help him a little less and encourage him to walk on his own, open his locker on his own, put his backpack and lunch away.  I slowly stopped walking him all the way into his class, leaving him at the door...

By the second week I began dropping him off in the gym where the children wait before school starts.  The Pre-k kids sit all the way on the far end of the gym (furthest from the front door) near the front stage.  I would walk him in, holding hands, help him choose a book from the library cart, and kiss him good bye in his class line.

Each day I'd do a little less to help him, stop picking the book, don't walk as far, until the Friday of that week.  That morning we got out of the car the same as always, held hands accross the parking lot, up the sidewalk and into the school, and I stopped and the door way of the gym to leave him there and let him walk in all by himself.  I leaned down and said, "Bye Bubby, I love you.  Have a good day," stood up and began to walk away.  I turned and saw him standing there still, back to me, his little face looking ahead at a big gym full of big kids looking back at him. 

I asked, "Is everything okay, Aidie?"  He turned and looked at me, put his head down slightly with a little nod and said, "yeah...Mommy?"  I asked what he needed, and he responded, "Will you walk me across the gym, all the way?"  Of course I would.  And as I walked up next to him, that little bitty hand slipped it's way into mine and I felt my heart melt.  Tears welled up in my eyes and I choked back a breath.  It was actually the first time this whole big school thing had affected me in an emotional way at all.

As I walked out of the gym to head off to work that morning, it hit me.  All the things that hit you all at once in miraculous moments.  All the things you already know but suddenly make so much sense and have immense meaning to you now...

My little man may be able to pick his clothes out for the next morning, dress himself, do his homework and recite all the rules of the classroom, but he still wants his Mommy to walk him into school.  All the way.

And thank God he does.

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=502795629]

Oh, Missy...I'm crying...our boys are so big and yet so fragile aren't they? *sniff*

[Missy Rose]

oh i know meg, and it's FLYING by!

[Ryan Arrowsmith]

Thanks for making me dread the next 6 years and watching Riggs grow up. :(

Such a sweet post! And such a handsome young man!

[Missy Rose]

thanks ry...the growing up thing is truly horrifying. you need to work on being a stay at home dad so you don't miss ANY of it!!

[Rebekahld]

OMG that was a tear jerker! Ok sop it up Bek, love you girl, see ya on Turkey day!

[Missy Rose]

Sorry Bek! Just know that I literally had to stop my car when I left his school to pull myself together! Can't wait to see you and your little turkey on Thanksgiving. I'm going to eat him up!!

[Lana Wilkens]

Oh man, I'm gonna stop working on the house right now and go cuddle with my little Pete (Sam & Matt are gone most of the evening tonight) - this is a moment to savor. :) good reminder that it goes by quickly!

[Missy Rose]

yes and it's so rare to get that one on one time with them!! aidan told me the other day he's sad cause he never gets alone time. i said, "well buddy you can go in your room and play by yourself and have alone time if you want it," and he said, "no alone time with you!" ugh...rip my heart out, kid. i've got to start getting momma missy creative and figure out some dates with my boys!