I expected all sorts of problems when the day arrived to let go of Katie’s hand and send her off to kindergarten.  Today was the fateful day, and — of course — it was easier and harder than expected, as most important parenting moments are.

Last night we attended the school orientation.  Katie met her teacher, and got a glimpse of the other 18 or so students.  There was a scare when we were told some kindergarten students would need another shot, but when that moment arrived, there was no apple sticker on her desk, so she dodged that bullet and returned to smiling.   She has not, in fact, stopped smiling as her chance to go to school like her older brother and sister began to draw near.  She has no fear of school, only expectations and a great attitude.  I hope she can hold on to it, because if she can, she’s going to go far.

Now everything has changed.  She’s not just out little girl now.  She will soon make friends, have work and worries and dreams of her own.  She’ll grow with her surroundings and make choices we won’t help her with.  The bottom line of this is that it proved much harder for us to let go of her than for her to let go of us.  She soared into her first day with huge smiles, bright eyes, and a quick hug for mom and dad.

We’ll have to rearrange our lives now to accommodate hers, which is as it should be, but the changes are “mighty.”  Mom will be home alone for the first time in five years with no one to ask for snacks, and Noggin will no longer rule the television.  There will be a huge burst of KIDS around 3:10 in the car, followed by homework and a long babble about the day.  We will all share in the magic as she starts to learn.  Soon she’ll be reading goodnight stories to me.

What a wonderful day.

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