SEBASTIAN'S FIRST DAY OF PRE-SCHOOL
Sebastian’s first day of school — it finally arrived. I’m not sure why we dreaded this day so much. Perhaps it was Bashy: he’s a free spirit; he’s used to getting his way; he makes his own worlds and has never, ever done anything the “regular” way. Perhaps it was us: are we truly ready for our little baby boy to go into the world; will he make friends; will he be happy in a social environment; will he bite anyone? Perhaps it’s just the world around us: there’s plenty there to fear.
But we certainly can’t let our fears and anxieties win the day. Bashy’s favorite thing to say these days is, “Outside?” He wants to go, he wants to see new things, do new things and meet new friends. He’s ready.
We aren’t!
Look, no amount of preparation helps. The first day of school is nerve racking, you spend all day thinking of ways the day can go wrong. And then it’s here, it happens and it’s all over.
This morning, Bash was alert and ready for his new adventure. Upon arriving, he went immediately to the bathroom and washed his hands. It took him only one day to become an expert hand washer.
He’s in the “Puppy Class.”
He made new friends.
He played games.
And yes, he did go outside.
When we dropped him off this morning, Jessie took one look at him as he sat with his new friend and began to build something out of LEGOs.
“He’s ready,” she said . . . through small tears.
He is indeed. We left quietly, went to the “Boo-Hoo” room set up for new parents and had coffee. Despite the welcoming feelings we received at the school, we remained in our own glass cases of emotion all day. I suspect this won’t change for a while, for us at least.
For Bash, he’s just ready for his next day.
