Kindergarten: Halle's 1st Day

Well, today is the BIG day! My daughter started Kindergarten. I think I'm a mix of emotions but mostly excited for this new adventure she has started. The day began in a blur when my husband and I overslept and we had to scramble to get everyone up and ready. In the end I think that that was a blessing in disguise as it didn't give me time to be emotional and do too much thinking about what today meant. Despite the late start we still ended up arriving at school early and she was first in class. This gave us plenty of time to get her settled and to take plenty of photos! She was all smiles which made walking away easier on my heart...but I found this poem and it expresses my feelings perfectly. Happy tears today.




She started school this morning,

And she seemed so very small.

As I walked there beside her

In the Kindergarten hall.

And as she took her place beside

the others in the class,

I realized how all too soon

Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as

She first learned how to walk.

The words that we alone made out

When she began to talk.

This little girl so much absorbed

In learning how to write.

It seems as though she must have grown

To girlhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred by hastily

I brushed the tears away

Lest by some word or sign of mine

I mar her first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with her

And keep her by the hand

To lead her through the places

That she couldn’t understand.

And something closely kin to fear

Was mingled with my pride.

I knew she would no longer be

A baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live,

To work her problems out,

The privilege to grow and learn

What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl

With friends and work and play;

She’s not a baby anymore
–
She’s in Kindergarten today.

(author unknown)