Well, its that time of year again, back to school. For many, as in my case, it's the first day of Kindergarten for our babies.
I was sent these poems by a very good friend (you know who you are ). I thought it would be appropriate given the time of year, besides no one has written for any advice.
So sit back and get your Kleenex ready and enjoy! And please do print it out for yourselves if you like!
A little side note, I was going to give my daughter's teacher the poem, however, at Parent orientation, the Principal read the poem, much to my surprise. Maybe she will be in good hands after all

FOR GIRLS

To My Daughters Teacher I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two blue eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long...and a flash of light brown hair that bounces in the sun when she runs; I trust you'll treat her well. She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning...and skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again will she be completely mine. Prim and proud she'll wave her young and independent hand this morning and say "Good-bye" and walk with little lady steps to the schoolhouse. Now she'll learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She'll learn to tune her ears for the sounds of school-bells...and deadlines...and she'll learn to giggle...and gossip...and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy 'cross the aisle sticks out his tongue at her. And, now she'll learn to be jealous. And now she'll learn how it is to feel hurt inside. And now she'll learn how not to cry. No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in the sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn and kiss lilac blooms in the morning dew. No, now she'll worry about those important things...like grades and which dress to wear and whose best friend is whose. And the magic of books and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And now she'll find new heroes. For five full years now I've been her sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and mother and friend. Now she'll learn to share her worship with her teachers...which is only right. But, no longer will I be the smartest, greatest woman in the whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first time...she'll learn what it means to be a member of the group...with all its privileges and its disadvantages too. She'll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud...or kiss dogs...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or even watch ants scurry across sidewalks in the summer. Today she'll learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. And I'll stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely journey to becoming a woman. So, world, I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two blue eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long...and a flash of light brown hair that bounces in the sun when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well.

FOR BOYS

First Day of School He started school this morning, and he seemed so very small, as I waited there beside him in the Kindergarten hall. And as he took his place beside the others in the class, I realized how all too soon those first few years can pass. Remembering, I saw him as he first learned how to walk, the words that we alone made out when he began to talk. This little boy so much absorbed in learning how to write! It seems as though he must have grown to boyhood overnight. My eyes were blurred but hastily I brushed the tears away, lest by some word or sign of mine I mar his first big day. Oh, how I longed to stay with him and keep him by the hand, to lead him through the places that I couldn't understand. And something closely kin to fear was mingled with my pride, I knew he would no longer be a baby at my side. But he must have his chance to live, to work his problems out, the privilege to grow and learn what life is all about. And I must share my little boy with friends and work and play; He's not a baby anymore-- He started school today.

Deb


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