Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Kindergarten

I registered Tucker for kindergarten today. Kindergarten.

Robb and I had talked long and hard about the decision of which school to choose, a decision that is new to parents of our generation. Back in the day, so I'm told, your elementary school was entirely dependent on the map of your city, and only the wealthiest made choices outside the natural option.

Now, there is public, private, charter, open enrollment, homeschool, co-op... the list goes on and on. We had decided weeks ago, for many, many reasons, that we would send our sons to the school around the corner, the one three blocks away. We looked at all our options, and we felt confident in our decision. And I love that we decided together.

Today was the day.

I was a teacher before my kids were born, and I taught kindergarten, specifically. So I confess, I may have entered with a slightly askew list of expectations. Not that my way is the only way, but I did have a brief checklist of items that would meet my approval.

Our new elementary school hit a homerun.

Warm. Open. Inviting. Organized. Colorful. Kids' artwork posted everywhere. Print-rich environment. Registration happened in the Media Center, a room filled not only with stacks and rows of books, but also art sculptures, paintings, couches, and pillows.

Sign me up. Or, rather, sign him up.

I came prepared with the dozens of papers required for this entrance into the world of real deal school. I thought I was all set.

"Ma'am, it looks like we're missing one. We'll need you to fill out just this one more page."

A basic page of info.

Until.

"Does the child live in a one-parent household or a two-parent household?"

Oh. Oh, my. I never planned to give this answer.

It's these little shocks that bring me to my knees.

I completed the form.

I registered my son for kindergarten.

It is the first real step we've taken to plan for the next season. The belief that the next season will come.

Kindergarten.

I didn't want to do this without his dad. In a one-parent household.

12 comments:

Terry said...

dear tricia...i think you did a fine job seeing as you and robb had decided this together and it does look like a real caring of the kids school!
i am sure that robb would have been pleased too and that tyler is making the big step to go to school. i think that this mile stone in itself will be a little sad for your heart!
god contiuues to be with you tricia..with love terry

mercygraceword said...

I'm so sorry for all those "out of left field" blows - but so thankful that You are the daughter of the King who promises to sustain us through them.
Only a little while now.....

You are loved, and treasured,

Constance said...

Although I don't know you, I have been here every day, silently lifting you up in prayer. I picture Robb in heaven, your biggest cheerleader knowing that you can do this and all of the difficult tasks that still lie ahead. I know from experience (different than yours) that sorrow does last for the night but joy comes in the morning. There is no oops in God's dictionary. Every hardship and every suffering allow us the opportunity to be more and more molded, into His beloved Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. This song by Chris Tomlin right now brings me so much comfort while my Mom is fighting cancer. Sending love and a hug today.
Connie Hopkins
Denton, Texas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c&feature=related

The Kennedy Krew said...

Oh sweet friend - my heart breaks for you to have to endure moments like that!! But, I am so glad there is a next season, there is Kindergarten and all the very fun things that brings!
I'm still praying hard, girl!! I am interceding for strength in these surprise moments!!

everythingismeowsome said...

oh, these cruel moments that keep popping up. I am amazed in the way you continue to handle them all with such grace.

PS--so happy that you are excited about his kindergarten. sounds like a great school.

my3boys said...

I started out crying for joy that you found the perfect school for your boys. I know how important that is to you, as you KNOW how important it was to me. I'm still smiling at the images of the school that you painted, but I find myself each day shedding a few tears for you and your precious boys. I'm sorry that you have to endure all of these little unexpected "punches" that keep coming up. I'm sure they don't feel little when they are happening. Still praying, of course...

Monica Kaye said...

I have been reading your blog and praying for you. I posted this poem by Mary Oliver recently on my blog www.teamdanica.com and instantly thought of you when I read it. Praying for you all everyday. Because of His great love we are not consumed. Monica

That time
I thought I could not
go any closer to grief
without dying

I went closer,
and I did not die.
Surely God
had his hand in this,

as well as friends.
Still, I was bent,
and my laughter,
as the poet said,

was nowhere to be found.
Then said my friend Daniel,
(brave even among lions),
"It's not the weight you carry

but how you carry it -
books, bricks, grief -
it's all in the way
you embrace it, balance it, carry it

when you cannot, and would not,
put it down."So I went practicing.
Have you noticed?

Have you heard
the laughter
that comes, now and again,
out of my startled mouth?

How I linger
to admire, admire, admire
the things of this world
that are kind, and maybe

also troubled -
roses in the wind,
the sea geese on the steep waves,
a love
to which there is no reply?

brianna said...

Oh Tricia. Dear, sweet Tricia. So very glad you and Robb decided this together. So very sorry you had to do it without him. Still praying hard for you and your boys.

Anonymous said...

Those blows are painful! When I signed my son up for baseball, the coach sent out a roster with the parent's names and cell numbers. My son was at the bottom of the list, with the father space completely blank. Oh, I was hurt! From now on I always put Travis' name on the forms. Just because he can't be reached by telephone doesn't mean my kids don't have a father. He will always be very much a part of their lives, as will your husband be in your boys' lives! Hugs.

Mrs. MK said...

Oh, that hurts. All those things that just rub vinegar in the open wound....I pray there aren't too many of those today.

Mellifluous said...

I read your post right before I went to pick up Alex from Kindy today. He was on a field trip...and then I thought of the field trip forms and the family assignments they have done this year. And I cried, Tricia. I wanted to make you a list of all those papers and moments that will come...but the list would go on and on. But I know God will help you go on and on too. Praying for you often!

Anonymous said...

Oh girl-weeping for you-it is harder for teachers-I think-empathy for you, sweet mom and teacher- and then this on top of it. I thought of you when I was filling out our registration...I know, I KNOW God has ordained just the teacher for T.