Watch out 1st grade...Here come's Macy Baum!

I preface my "first day of school" story with this:



Jace bought me tickets to see "Wicked" in L.A. for Mother's day this year. We flew to California last Friday with Mike and Carrie Mosley, saw the show (LOVED IT! I missed my calling in life), stayed in a hotel, and flew home Saturday. It was the longest we have ever been away from our kids. I know my mother-in-law is completely capable of caring for them but I was HOMESICK - if one mentioned my one children's name or if Jace thought about looking at me crossed eyed - I was in tears. Not a great way to start the week.


Our "first day of first grade" then went something like this:



When my eyes opened on Monday morning, I had to take in my surroundings. My stomach was in knots. The hour on the clock read an unfathomly early hour. My brain was buzzing.....No, I was no longer 6 years old and No, that wasn't Jessica sharing a bed with me and No, that wasn't Mauriah's blow dryer and stereo already singing away.



This was MACY'S first day of school. I am the mother of a 6 year old and that is Jace snoring next to me and that is Ezra singing the house awake in his crib.



Macy was up, dressed, and in the process of making her own pb & j sandwich, when I joined her in the kitchen. We talked all morning of the "what if's."

"What if I miss kindergarten and Mrs. Mitchell?"

"What if Ms. Ellsworth is a bigger lady?"

"What if no one wants to sit by me at lunch?"

"What if I can't open my water bottle by myself?"

"What if I can't find my classroom?"



I did my best to answer and calm her nerves that were making her lose her appetite.

"You will love 1st grade and you'll get to see and wave to Mrs. Mitchell in the halls. "

"Those are the best kind."

"I bet Kyson will sit by you and lots of other kids will be wishing for a friend to sit by too. Look out for them, ok?"

"You can always ask any adult at school for help."

"I will personally walk you to your classroom today and for the next 12 years if you wish."



As we walked the sidewalk to the classroom, I could not rid myself of that lump in my throat. Then, there at the end of the sidewalk was a welcome sight. Jessica, Kyson, Brookie, and Teag. Macy ran to meet her cousin, now turned classmate.



As I introduced us to Ms. Ellsworth, she placed an arm around Macy and said "I feel like I already know Macy Baum. Your great grandmother Maire Brewer was one of my very best friends."
My brave face disolved into tears, "Maire Brewer was one of my very favorite people too."
She then tells me with tears in her eyes as well, that she had Jace's oldest brother Chad in her 1st grade class.
"Oh, did you?" was all I could get out, before I quickly hung up Macy's bag, showed her to her desk, and got out of there.



My homesickness, nervousness, anxiety, and now tears for all my deceased relatives poured out in the parking lot, while Jessica patted my shoulder. I'm so glad she lives in Taylor now. And I'm HAPPY to report Macy got to sit by Kyson at lunch and play with him on the play ground.



Macy was a HAPPY, bouncing, and OFFICIAL 1st grader when I picked her up at 2:20 pm. I know Ms. Ellsworth and I's first conversation that morning will translate into "Macy is a wonderful, smart girl that can do no wrong in 1st grade this year," thanks to Jace and his relatives no longer living but watching over us still the same.



P.S. My brand new digital camera has taken it's first trip to the Sony repair shop. Please stay tuned for the pictures coordinating with the above documented experiences.