S came off the bus the last day of school and gave me a silly look that said “you had better not spray me with that silly string!” A few of us moms had cans ready to spray the kids when they got off the bus. I had warned them my daughter, who doesn’t do well with surprises, may not like it, so we knew to skip her.
But then she ran right past me and into the house. I chatted with a couple of the other kids, gave some last day of school hugs, and then followed her in. I found her sobbing in her room.
“I’m sorry you’re sad honey. Are you sad because you’re going to miss all your class friends? I know it won’t be the same but we can set up playdates!”
She told me, “a little, but I’m really going to miss my teacher and I really love Ms. W.”
And I got it. I cried after school every year until about 6th grade. I had all the feels she did. Big feelings. I told her about the time I kissed the wall of my school because I was going to miss it so much. So I let her cry, let her talk about Ms. W, and then we talked about all the fun stuff we would do this summer.
Before long she was excited to empty out her backpack and show me all the notebooks and binders she brought home.
And just like that first grade is done. I feel like it was just a few months ago that she was born. But here she is, turning seven in August. Time to make that summer bucket list.
wish you more 