My sweet Abbey,
Tonight, you hugged me goodnight tightly, with a smile,
thrilled to be starting school “the day after this day.”
A pink plaid dress and silver shoes wait for you, to be
forever immortalized in the first of your first day of school photos.
Your little backpack and water bottle are ready to be hung
with care next to ten other little backpacks, worn by other boys and girls
beginning this journey with you.
And I am fighting back tears.
My mind and my heart are in an epic battle as you snuggle
safely into your pillow above my head.
Your footsteps tomorrow will be the first of many through
your school years, steps that take you away from home and into a world filled
with endless possibilities, opportunities of which you haven’t even dreamed.
Your future dazzles me.
Your observant nature, your imagination, your determination are all
gifts you have only begun to unwrap.
Yet I worry that I haven’t prepared you for tomorrow. I worry that my best efforts weren’t enough.
Will your teacher understand your hesitation isn’t
indifference or defiance but discomfort with the unknown?
Will she draw you into participating when you float back a
few steps, unsure how to join a game with new friends?
When you feel nervous about talking to someone new, will you
reach for my hand and look around, worried, when you touch only air instead of
my reassuring grip?
Will you discover a kindred spirit, someone who can draw out
your silly giggle and dance of excitement?
I wish I could mold my love for you into something tangible,
something to tuck inside your pocket, something to guard you against hurt or
disappointment.
I hope my millions of hugs have imprinted my arms into your
skin, so that you always feel my embrace, should you need it when I’m not
there.
You are my tough and brilliant girl, and tomorrow is just a
glimmer, a spark, in the light of your future.
I am so proud of you already.
Always & forever,
Mommy
playing dress up at Madison's birthday party this weekend
a preview of the plaid dress
flapper dress, headband, hfaux gloves, and silver slippers will not be included
Gorgeous, sweet, touching letter to your baby girl, Angela. She will do great!!
ReplyDeleteAngela, you captured my feelings exactly! What a lovely tribute to your sweet girl. Thankfully S's preschool teacher is my best friend and is brilliant at coaxing her out. Congrats on the WOE news!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! I'm excited about WOE. And we made it through the first day! I will post more tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I have some mixed feeling about it. I will post on PYHO tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteAngela, such a tender piece of writing. Wishing both you and your sweet Abbey a wonderful first day of school. xo
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet sentiment - I hope it was a wonderful day and that there are many more ahead for both of you! I too wish there was something tangible we could give them to prove we are always there.
ReplyDeleteoh what a gorgeous letter to her. WOW, she starts preschool!!! I can't believe how grown up she is.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could wrap a hug up for you and send it along the breezes for each of you. She is going to be amazing, because she is your daughter. Can't wait to hear how it goes!xo
The tears are a flowin'...Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteUmmm...does this post come with a box of kleenex?
ReplyDeleteThe last line is the best...
"
I hope my millions of hugs have imprinted my arms into your skin, so that you always feel my embrace, should you need it when I’m not there."....brilliant and beautiful
Oh happy first day to both of you!
ReplyDelete{Sob, sniffle}
So many hugs and much love to you dear friend!
XO
Way to make a girl cry! This was so incredibly sweet!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best post I've ever read. Honestly.
ReplyDeleteI wish it had come out of my mouth, because I feel every words you're saying, and I want to say them to my own daughter, and yet I would never for the life of me be able to put the words together as beautifully as you have done here.
I'm crying my eyes out here... you've described my love for my daughter perfectly. Thank you, my friend,
What a lovely compliment! I think we all feel the same way about days like this, don't you? xoxo
ReplyDeleteWell, since I was already crying...just kidding, but I'm glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteIt's bittersweet, because I know it's time, but it's hard, too.
ReplyDeleteI worry about her little heart so very much; I know I can't wrap it in bubble wrap, but I really wish I could.
Thank you! I want her to always, always know that we love her and will be waiting for her.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry! I thought I had cried all of the tears for the week :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't she such a big girl? I can hardly believe it.
ReplyDeleteI can feel your hug, my friend. Thank you :)
I think it was a good day. She said she loved it, but she was also really tired and a little off yesterday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteThank you! She said she had a great day :) I spent it with my friend whose son is in Abbey's class. We had coffee and let our littler ones play in the park for a while!
ReplyDeleteAwww! The first day is so hard, but so fun all at the same time. You know the things that await her and they are exciting and some unknown.
ReplyDeleteShe's going to do great, and so will you! This mommy seasaw is a hard ride sometimes.
It's definitely a tough seesaw at times. It's hard to leave your heart in a strange classroom without a webcam LOL
ReplyDeletewhat a cutie!!! I hope she had a great first day!
ReplyDeletewm