First Day of School: A Survival Story

Ninja Turtles and Strawberry Shakes

We missed orientation, so I really didn’t know what was on the other side of that big brown door that lead to the modular kindergarten room behind the school. The muffled noises diffusing through it seemed to prove Mom’s claim that there really were other children behind it. But that didn’t really change the fact that I didn’t want to go in that room. If it weren’t for the new Ninja Turtle Velcro shoes I had gotten out of the deal (mom wasn't afraid of using bribery), I would have turned and ran back to the comfort of our Astro van.

It didn’t help much that Tammie (my older niece) had made it a point to try to scare the living daylights out of me by making up school-themed horror stories. Thanks to her, I was thoroughly convinced that I was going to get shoved in a locker, get lost in the hallways, pee my pants in class because the teacher wouldn’t let me go to the bathroom, get sent to the principal's office, and get a swirly (whatever that was), all on my first day.

However, I had already promised Mom that I’d give it a shot. She told me she knew it would be scary, but she also said she had a feeling that I’d love it there. Besides, if I made it through the day without calling home, she promised we would go get a strawberry shake from McDonald’s – a treat reserved only for the most special of occasions.

Mom turned the door handle way before I was ready, and gently nudged me in. I was tempted to close my eyes, but a tall, blonde, kindly woman greeted me immediately. “You must be Michael! I’m Mrs. Lund, and I’m your teacher. Welcome to Kindergarten. You’re going to love it here.”

And she was right. So was mom. I’d like to tell you that I didn’t cry, but then I’d be lying. Once a mama’s boy, always a mama’s boy. But I still enjoyed the day like they said I would. When the dismissal bell rang, Mom was there to pick me up and take me out on our date. Truth be told, I felt like I was the luckiest kid on earth. I got a new pair of shoes, a nice teacher, AND a strawberry shake? It was a great day.

The Longest Block

It’s hard to believe it was almost 21 years ago when I first set foot in a school hallway. The other day, I asked my mom what it was like from her point of view. I was her 6^th child, so I just assumed it was nothing short of routine for her by then. Her response, however, surprised me.

“I was a nervous wreck,” she said.

“But you were so calm, I had no idea!” I replied.

“After I dropped you off, I drove home, got out of the car, and just started walking. I probably walked ten miles that day, maybe even more. And I cried the entire time,” she explained.

I’ll sheepishly admit that my ego puffed up a bit when she told me that. It’s not every day you hear someone tell you that they cried for hours when you left his or her presence.  “Oh, so you were crying because you missed me?”

“No, that wasn’t it,” she laughed. I think I even caught a hint of an eye roll.
Ego deflated.

“Oh gee, thanks,” I retorted, feigning hurt. “Then why did you cry?”

“Of course I missed you. And it was hard watching you grow up, but the BIG reason I cried was because I knew that Dad and I were no longer the sole input in your life. Sure, up until then you were constantly around other people, but they were still people that we chose, and we knew what their views were. But when I dropped you off, as soon as that door shut behind you, we were no longer the only voices in your ear. Soon, you would have to start making your own choices about whose voice to listen to. We could no longer hear everything you were being taught, and it scared me, so I cried. “

“You seemed fine when you picked me up,” I said, “I don’t remember you being any different. What changed?”

“While I was crying, I was praying, too,” she added. “I didn’t really know what else to do. But then I felt like God was telling me, ‘It’s ok, Leonia. He’s not really yours anyway. He’s mine, and he’s always been mine, and I’ve still got him, I’m still watching him even when you can’t.’”

“Wow.” I said. And I meant it. “Was it like that every year?”

“It was never that bad again,” she said “It got easier with each grade, but every year, I always remembered that walk. It was the longest walk around the block that I ever took.”

My mom is so cool.

Dedication

This post goes out to all you parents as you send your kids off for their first day of school, whether it is for the first time, the second time, the eighth time, or the last time. The first day of school is probably one of the most emotionally jam-packed days of the year, for you AND for your kids. It runs the gamut of human emotions, from excitement to fear, from stress to relief, from sadness to joy, and back again. My prayers are with you and your kids on this unique day. Enjoy it, and remember no matter what, God’s hands are still on you, AND your kids. Just don’t forget to take ‘em out for milkshakes afterward.