This moment has been in my head for a while now. I finally captured it.
As Grant was asking me to tie a cowboy scarf around his neck I had to hold back the tears. I'm going to miss him so much, school starts tomorrow.
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Whose Child Is This?
Whose child is this? I asked one day,
seeing a little one out at play.
Mine, said the parent with a tender smile;
Mine to keep a little while;
To bathe his hands and comb his hair,
To tell him what he is to wear,
To prepare for him his daily food;
To train him that he may always be good.
Whose child is this, I asked again,
As the door opened and someone came in.
Mine, said the teacher with the same tender smile.
Mine to keep a while;
To teach him how to be gentle and kind;
To train him and direct his dear little mind;
To help him live by every rule,
And get the best he can from school.
Whose child is this, I asked once more,
Just then the little one entered the door.
Ours, said the parent and the teacher as they smiled,
And each took a hand of the dear child.
Ours to love and train together,
Ours this blessed task forever.
-Author Unknown
We attended open house last Friday and met Grant's teacher, Mrs. Chaffin who gave us a large folder of lots of things to read and learn about. Included was this poem. We are excited for this adventure for Grant. It seemed so appropriate that Sunday's lesson was about being educated, both spiritually and secular. We know the knowledge we learn is what we will be able to take with us after we depart. As I pondered this important and wonderful aspect of learning my thoughts turned toward Grant and his beginning his formal education. How grateful I am for his opportunity, to be living in a wonderful community that values and encourages education at it's finest. There are sixteen kids in Grant's class, I hope he finds a friend. I hope he enjoys learning. But most of all, I hope he has fun and loves school!
I wouldn't change a thing about the time I was able to spend with Grant these past five years. I feel so full of joy thinking of the memories and closeness we have. I am so lucky.
Tomorrow is the beginning of a new chapter...
5 comments:
Hey kim!
I bet it is hard to let them go but then you get to be the one that he tells all about his great adventures! I remember being in a brand new school and you and Julie Tucker were so sweet to me I hope he finds a friend just like i did:) good luck tomorrow. Angie
I totally cried last year. I was a mess. Katlyn was great and loved it. I'm sure Grant will too!! Call if you need to talk...or cry!!
Oh, Kim! What an awesome picture -- you have me in tears and feeling guilty that I have been yelling at the big boys all day.
You are an example to me of enjoying the time you have.
Good luck tomorrow!
Amy
That was a beautiful poem, it fits life with a little one. Why? Why do they have to grow up? Tell Grant to have a GREAT first day of school!
I remember feeling much the same way when Claire started school. Good luck to both you and Grant! The photo, poem, and your words are beautiful. You've done a nice job of capturing this closing chapter of your life (and the next one will be great too).
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