Lyman, you were my first. My first electrifying jolt of love when I first saw you. My first selfish indulgence of hugs and kisses. You were my first to call me "Mommy", though at first you called me "Mimi". You were my first all day snuggle because you had a fever and didn't feel well.
You are my first to make me laugh, give me a hug or hold my hand. You are my first to jump up and help me when I need something. You are my first to goof around with.
You are my first to loose a tooth too! I wish it hadn't happened so soon, I wasn't ready to loose your innocent child smile. But since you are my first to act a little crazy and do things with out much forethought - it shouldn't have surprised me that you would loose your first tooth when you were goofing off with your cousins and fell on the metal slide.
And so you will be my first to go to Kindergarten this week. I've been thinking about all the things you need to know for kindergarten. You are pretty smart. You know your letters, numbers and shapes and colors and sounds and all the other things you ought to. You also know a few things that you aren't expected to know yet, like addition, subtraction and multiplication like how much 4 X 5 equals. You know how to tie your shoe now. I taught you that - you were my first to learn. But have I taught you what you need to know to make friends, the right kind? Have I taught you what you need to know if someone isn't very nice to you? Do you know how much you are worth, and how special you are? Have I taught you how to be nice to others and not laugh when someone teases someone else? Have I taught you how to be a friend, the right kind? Are you ready?
I'm not sure I want to share you with the rest of the world. This is the beginning of doing that. For almost 6 years you were all mine. I feel like next thing I know you will be graduating high school and calling me Mom and not Mommy. You will probably start to think I'm embarrassing. You might start to question your belief that I know everything. I guess what I am saying is I'm not sure I am ready.
4 Comments:
I am so there. I remember holding Cooper when he was first born and bawling, thinking how fast time was going to go. Wondering if I could teach all those things too. You are an awesome mom... I am sure your 'baby' is an awesome kiddo too.
I think it gets even harder with each one to let them out into the world.
This almost brought a tear to my eye. I'm going to cherish Tommy's first six years, and hopefully be as great a mom as you are!
SO well written. I feel the exact same way about sending Brielle to 4K tomorrow. Have I taught her all she needs to know? Not yet! I know I'm not ready to send her. Who knew it would be so hard?
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