My husband and I met our daughter-in-law and picked up Morgan so that we could deliver her to the first day of preschool. Oh the little girl was excited. She was glowing in her enthusiasm. And I was careful to share her joy and not even let a tiny bit of my sadness show. Sadness that she is growing up so fast and it seems like just yesterday that I was sending my youngest daughter to pre-school.
And we got to the preschool and she was almost bouncing out of her shoes and was talking so fast and squeaky she was hard to understand. And she hugged and kissed us but wanted to hurry, hurry, hurry to her new classroom. And I didn't drag my feet to stretch out this last moment of her being our little g-baby. And I hurried along with her, laughing and talking...even though I wanted to take her back home and make her be a little girl just a little while longer. Because we love our children and grandchildren and recognize that they need to be in the world and they need to grow...and because this is what we do.
And we got to her new room with her new teacher and children ran pell-mell all over the place and smiles and hugs were exchanged with parents and kids from last year. Some small children cried sadly for their Moms but Morgan was immediately entranced with the playdough table. I wanted to grab her up and stop her from growing up because she is so sweet and she is so little and the world is so hard sometimes. But I smiled and took pictures and said "oh boy, oh boy" instead of crying...because we love our children and our grandchildren. And because this is what we do.
She sat at that little table already surrounded by new friends and old and began playing without a backward glance...eager to do new things and meet new people and to find her own way in her own little world. And I started to cry but I turned away so there was no way she could possibly see. Because I would never, ever rain on her parade. And because we love our children and our grandchildren. And because this is what we do.
We open our hearts and let these little people take over every fiber of our being. We open our souls and let them take up residence there for eternity, through the good and the bad, the easy and the hard. And we never, ever turn away from them...no matter how much we want to sometimes to protect ourselves.
And we allow and encourage them to try new things, meet new people, find new pathways on their own...no matter how much we want to protect them and keep them safe from the world and sometimes even from themselves.
Because we love our children and our grandchildren.
And because this is what we do.
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29 comments:
aww she's a lucky girl .
Now I'm all weepy!
and she's beautiful!
Aw! Bringing back memories of when I first sent my children to school. Bittersweet, you know. Joyful because they are growing up with a zest and zeal for learning but sad, because you are correct,...we want to keep them little and protect them forever!
way to start my monday, all nostalgic and such. No more preschool days for us, now it is leaving the littlest one at gymnastics for 2 hours and kindergarten for the day and the biggest off on a week long trip with no contact...and yes we love them and yes we have to let them go, and yes it is so hard sometimes
Amen to that!
Your granddaughters are precious, Jenny. Little Morgan looks very sweet and confident and I relate to your protective love of them.
It truly never ends...the wanting to keep loved ones safe from all "bad" during the whole time-line of our lives. Thinking positive and whispering prayers helps.
Beautifully written and describes very well what we go through when those precious little ones go off to school. Great pictures of an adorable little girl. I enjoy all your posts so much. Hugs
Oh, I do feel your pain! I worry most about the world they're growing up in -- they deserve so much better. Guess we can just be grateful they have loving homes to go home to. Jan
Will I feel this way when my oldest goes off to college?
I teach preschool and just love when the kiddos trust us and have a wonderful time in the classroom and don't want to go home. Make me feel good about my job.
Thanks for sharing,
Susan
Aww.You made me all weepy and i don't even have a kid..
Ah, Jenny. You put my feelings about my littlest peanut starting Kindergarten into words...
I know how you feel.
Jenny, I've been doing so much better about my first baby going to first grade and then this post kinda got me all teary again and may have set me back a step! :-) Your grandaughter is darling and what a great grandma you are to go with her and love on her and let her go! Thanks for so eloquently describing what we all go through!
Vanessa
http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com
You have my heart and soul with you today. She is precious and she is lucky to have you.
And I know exactly what you mean.
For this is what we do.
sandie
You have my heart and soul with you today. She is precious and she is lucky to have you.
And I know exactly what you mean.
For this is what we do.
sandie
And because I am who I am, I cry. Ok, I only cried while reading this. When I dropped off my girls for Kindergarten, I did not cry, but today I cry because that was such a momentous moment.
Great post Jenny. You are the bestest Grandma ever.
You are so lucky you get to be a part of the "normal" things yours do. We get to have ours about once a month for the weekend. We can do whatever we want with them...take them places etc. But, we miss out on all the daily things...the school grandparent's day, the programs, the baptisms...hopefully, when (if) my daughter has kids we will get to play a more active role.
Oh yes. They grow up fast. But you accurately and poignantly pointed out what we must do...even though it's hard. Way to go, Gwamma!
Pre-school didn't bother me as much as Kindergarten because that's "real" school. That's when I really felt it. And once they're in "real" school the years seem to fly right by. Kindergarten one day and high school graduation the next.
Thank you Jenny for sharing again this lovely post.."because that is what we do" will be my motto..
Awwww she's adorable! And soooo lucky to have you and Mr. Jenny!
Aww Jenny, you are so right!
*sniff* We daycare teachers go through similar situations. It's so hard to let them go, even to another classroom! But we encourage them, give them high-fives, and smile at them when they fall in love with their new teachers. Meanwhile, our hearts break. We want to be the ones they love! But that's selfish.
Ah, children. Can't hold them prisoner, can't lock 'em out. Just got to prepare them and send them on their way, no strings attached.
I love the pic where she's 'striking a pose', it's just fab!
Jenny, what a sweet and poignant post, and what memories it brings back to me.
Most of my grandchildren are well on their way to becoming adults, but my son, Joey, and his wife, Aimee have twins-a boy and a girl- who are only 15 months old. I have their kindergarten days to look forward to.
What precious photos! ~ Sarah
It is still hard though. I am getting used to the boy being in kindergarten. *sigh*
It's hard letting go, so they can grow up.~Ames
Lovely post - there is a part of us that wants them to find it hard to say goodbye but really when they do just take to their new environment we feel so proud and happy.
What a pretty daughter in law you have, my Dear...
How sweet and what a perfectly selfless grandmother you are. I cannot imagine sending my children to school. Seeing them outgrow their clothing is hard enough! Very beautifully written.
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