And Off to Kindergarten He Goes

Our boy starts kindergarten today.

Katie has now read those words and the tears are flowing at a pace worthy of a flash flood advisory. I kid her about how emotional she has gotten as we’ve prepared for this day. I love her tears. I know they are tears of love. A love that started with an emergency delivery and has been showered on Elliott through the long days and many sleepless nights since. They are tears of relief. That a child who spent the first few hours of his life as a scary question mark is now confidently plowing through the front doors of Henry Clay Elementary School. They are tears of thankfulness. Grateful that our heavenly Father has trusted us with such a precious gift. He has carried us through the storms and sat us safely down at this point in our lives. Yes, I love her tears.

As for me, I guess there has been a stray shower or two. For the most part, though, I’ve simply enjoyed reflecting. Our kids give us so many opportunities to reflect.

I’ve thought about the many teachers that Elliott is about to have touch his life. I think of all of the teachers who impacted my life through my school years, and how they have contributed to our boy. A boy many of them will never meet. It’s a shame, really, the circles life doesn’t let us see. I often wonder if that is what heaven is reserved for. Seeing the circles.

I’ve reflected on the long days that led up to this one. The days when I wondered if sleep had made the endangered species list and then suffered extinction all while I was too busy keeping up with an infant and then toddler. I think I was too busy and tired to ever wonder if I would survive to see this day, denying myself the chance to fully embrace the opportunity to run around the school parking lot today throwing high fives at anyone willing to share a we did it moment.

I’ve thought about our parents, who one day many years ago (although not that many) sent us off to kindergarten. And in my case they blazed a trail they would be called down on many unexpected occasions to discuss their son who struggled to stay out of trouble. Whether I was climbing out of a classroom window in second grade at St. Stephens or turning a yellow school bus into a colorful party bus, they probably felt like they spent as much time with my teachers and principals as I did. And I get to wondering about the merits of homeschooling. If for no other reason than to save on gas money. But I know that our parents share in our joy of this day.

Yesterday I put the video together that’s below. You’ll hear the song “Find Your Wings” by Mark Harris. (Mr. Harris, I hope you don’t mind that I’ve celebrated your song along with our son’s first day of Kindergarten). I couldn’t help but recall the first time I heard this song. Katie and I were driving to a doctor’s appointment when we were pregnant with Elliott. The tears were rolling so fast and furious from both of us that I had to turn the station before we heard the whole song. The uncertainty of what lied ahead made it too challenging to hear at the time. But as I heard the song again today, a backdrop to the memories of Elliott’s journey from zero to K, the tears were much different. Although each day is still filled with uncertainty, there is much we do know for sure about the days since we first heard this song. Through reflection we can see clearly the many blessings God has brought us through Elliott. We are grateful and pray as Elliott walks through those doors today, this part of Elliott’s journey will bring Him glory.