He never cried when I left him on the first day of school. He simply asked his teacher if it was ok for him to wear sunglasses on the playground, gave me a hug and went running into the gorgeous August sun. I remember it vividly, not knowing whether to feel hurt he didn’t cling to me, or proud. I was proud, but it didn’t stop me from blubbering snot filled tears the rest of the day.
But today he cried. On his last day of Elementary school.
Not long.
But when he left his classroom, he was quiet. I saw it welling up in him and he finally let them flow. I grabbed him and hugged him a hug only moms know how to give. Kids know those hugs and so do moms. They are one of a kind. And we cried together.
We are going to miss it all.
The smell of the hallways.
The chatter of the little ones.
The giggles.
The high fives.
The dance moves.
We have had an incredible elementary school experience. All of us. Unexpected and busy. But the people at the school became an extended family to me. I never worried about him there as I knew someone was watching him for me at all times. he was a special case from the very beginning, requiring secretaries and nurses to do more than I ever expected of them. My son, even though the first few years he’s was rarely in school more than a few days a week, was able to excel in ways I didn’t imagine he would. He more than excelled.
And I got involved.
Most people when they hear the word PTO… they have one of two reactions. They will say “oh wow, that’s a lot of work, good for you.” or they cringe thinking you are going to ask for money. Or their time. Or lecture you about not being a member. The latter is the reaction I received most. The latter was something I never did. PTO seems to be a dirty word sometimes. To me it kind of was in the beginning. 7 years ago we attended our first meeting. I lectured my husband about not volunteering for an office. A half hour later we walked and he was President….and remained that way for the entirety of my son’s stay…7 years. And that meant, I was also going along for that ride. And after what seems like 12 thousand balloon towers built later, it’s done. Today, because of things we did as a group, this was my son’s face on the last day of elementary school. Grinning ear to ear spraying people with silly string. Dancing. Singing. Laughing. Along with almost 400 other kids. I was able to be part of my son’s education without being encroaching. I was never in his classroom, but I always knew what was happening behind the scenes. And that was better. And I learned. I wasn’t looking for power, just information to help me better understand. And it was wonderful.
To the teachers and principal at Pioneer Park….thank you. We love you. Truly. And we will miss you. Truly.
Cheers to 6th Grade… here’s to an awesome summer.
