The Night Before Kindergarten

Dear Lainey,

Well, here we are--the night before kindergarten. You are already asleep, not very far from me. In fact, after you fell asleep tonight, I laid next to you, molding your hand around my finger to grasp it just like you did when you were small.

You're still small.



Today was special. We spent the day together--just you and me--and because I know that things are changing a bit tomorrow, I couldn't help but think a lot today about how we've had so many of these special days--and yes, we'll have so many more. But I wish I could rewind and feel a few of those baby days again. Maybe even if we only had ten rewinds in our entire lifetime, and we had to choose carefully when we could use one. Well, today I would have bought a vowel. I would have cashed in one rewind and cherished every second of its replay. I would have held you tighter, read one more book, kissed one more cheek, snuggled you in that rocking chair one more minute before I laid you in your crib.



This isn't the way it works though. Hindsight builds with time which means, baby, I'll be the best grandma ever to your kids. But this week I'll forget again. I might get frustrated or tired or a little impatient when you take fifteen minutes to buckle your babydoll's carseat in the back seat when I'm trying to get out of the driveway to make it somewhere on time.

Let me tell you something though. This feeling I'm feeling right now the night before kindergarten? It's going to come again and again and again. In between the days that parenting is challenging, through the exhaustion, even after teenage arguments. My heart will always hurt loving you.



I can tell you're nervous. I am too. And I have replayed in my mind so many times what tomorrow will look like. I want you to be happy. I want you to run into that classroom and feel the opportunity that exists between those walls, in those books, through those friends. You might not feel it right away, and that's hard for me. Because I won't be there to hold your hand when you're feeling a little bit insecure, reminding you of your strengths and the happiness that exists around you. And I have been there the past five years.

But I'm here in a different way (Girl, I am always here...you can't get rid of me). Thinking of you at home. Looking forward to your stories. Knowing that we're both stretching and growing together.



The parts about my character and my own story that I am most proud of? They came with uncomfortable moments when sometimes I had to step out on my own and recognize that I am strong, I am capable and I am full of potential. It exists inside every one of us, and I know you're going to discover so much of it this year.





I let you choose one of my necklaces to wear tomorrow--a little piece of home you'll have all day. And I think I might wear one of yours tomorrow too.

I am sad that you won't be here every day with me, but mostly I am so excited to watch you soar. It won't be long before you'll be running to the car, excitedly rattling off the days events, who you met, what you made. You'll pull projects from your backpack, and we'll proudly hang them on our walls. You'll correct us when we call your friends by the wrong name, and soon you won't need to hold our hands through the school hallways because you will own them.

Maybe not tomorrow...but soon.

Lainey, the world awaits. Go paint your colors. xo



Love,
Mom

*****

Grace Adele Independent Consultant, Amy Jackson joins ETST in sponsorship this month, offering an extensive collection of handbags and accessories from large totes in butter-soft leather to stylish clutches, scarves and jewerly.


Laney Leather Bag (perfect name, if you ask me), Rae Clutch and Envelope Wallet

My favorite?

The super soft studded Rae Clutch, the perfect size for me. It comes with a long chain strap (optional), is easy to grab on the go and holds lipstick, cell phone, keys, a small coin purse with cards, a bottle of essential oil (nausea), and I can even fit a diaper in there.


Eh, you like my marker stains? So I did a little coloring today with Lainey.

Check out the other great products Amy offers with Adele Grace.