First Day at Preschool

Okay! I admit it. I am NOT okay with Beth going to preschool! There is so much wrapped up in this that I would rather avoid. Sure, she is cute in her blue backpack. Sure, she is ready--begging for more interaction with friends. Sure, she needs someone to challenge her and get her on the road to an early education. But what about me??

I'm not ready to see my baby go off to school! I'm not ready to give up my precious two days per week of time with her. I'm not sure I can handle that someday she will be driving a car!

It isn't really this normal things that are hardest. Seeing Beth at preschool, especially this preschool is too much for me. These are the wonderful folks who kept it all together for Elliott when all hell broke loose three years ago. He kept going to this same school while I and then Beth, fought our ways through nearly six months of hospitalization. The teachers comforted Mike and my mother who valiantly kept stability in place for our young, lovable son.

Elliott sat on that very seat and cried with me when I was finally strong enough to take him to school. He was so afraid I would leave him again that he couldn't let go once I finally had returned home from the hospital. The teachers cried with me on the first day they saw Beth, healthy and happily snuggled in my arms.

So many memories, such wonderful people. One of the school teachers, Ms. Alicia, called me yesterday to say she cried when she saw Beth in class with all the kids. In her Texas twang, she told me, "We'll be EXTRA careful with your little girl!" I told her it isn't Beth who needs the extra care...it's me. Our little girl is going to be just fine.