The Most Important Things

I usually don't post many "Anne's Thoughts" on here. I don't know why. Maybe I think you'll think it's boring and that so many other people can say it better, but today I have something to say. And I want to share it with YOU.

Charlie began Kindergarten this year. I was a nervous wreck before he started! Bart might not tell you about the (several) late night cries/talks/is-our-son-ready? chats, but they happened!! Every parent worries about sending their kid off into a new situation--one where they, the parent, have absolutely NO control and won't even be there to stop something potentially bad from happening. Charlie had never even been to preschool and I wondered if he was ready socially. The kid is BEYOND shy.

But, worries set aside, we knew that it was time to cut the apron strings and send him into the world of Kindergarten. (Boy, I sound like an overprotective mother if ever there was one, don't I??)

This is Charlie on his first day of school. Handsome chap!

The end of his first Quarter ended last week. We have seen mountains of improvement! His drawing, coloring, playing, and reading are all so much better! It's amazing what a teacher at school can do with him that I couldn't do (and believe me, as far as reading goes I TRIED!!). He is so much more confident and actually wants to participate in things that I thought he never would.

This morning his school had an awards ceremony and all parents were invited. I wasn't notified that Charlie would be receiving an award, but I thought I'd go show my support anyway.

Jane, Tommy, and I got to our seats just before his class filed in. In fact, I passed by part of his class in the hall and some of the kids waved to me (I volunteer in the classroom.). Charlie was at the end and didn't see me.

As his classmates walked to their seats I watched for Charlie and saw him scanning the crowd of parents. I saw his face go from vague interest as he wondered who the extra people were, to wondering if I might be there, to actively seeking for me, then to RELIEF as our eyes locked and I waved to him. He waved a little wave back and took his seat. He turned several times during the program to check that I was still there and we smiled at each other every time.

Charlie didn't get an award today. But do I care about that? NO WAY. Sure, it would have been cool, but the thing that made that awards ceremony today was knowing that my kid wasn't disappointed when I wasn't there and could have been. I'm glad that I showed him that he didn't need to receive an award in order for me to support him.

So, all-in-all, Charlie didn't need an award. He needed his MOM and I'm so glad that I was there.