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Its Tuesday night and I am sitting in the kitchen with Eric as he works on his first grade math homework assignment. Tonight’s project involves adding pennies and nickels. The task is pleasant for Eric as it combines two of his favorite subjects – math and money. It seems like only yesterday that Eric was just embarking on his educational career.
I’ll never forget the first day that I walked with Eric to kindergarten, a little over a year ago. He squeezed my hand tightly and clung to my side. Together we explored his new class room and greeted new friends. “What’s that?” Eric asked, pointing to the reading corner. We sat together on the carpet and paged through the books. Some were familiar titles, like Curious George and The Cat in the Hat. Others were foreign to us. We found his desk, and Ken and I helped him print his name and arranged his supplies. We shook hands with his teacher. “I think I’ll like it here.”, he smiled as Ken and I left. “Me too.”, I agreed.
That night, I sat with Eric on his bed an he told me about his day. His teacher was young, pretty and bright. Eric adored her and secretly planned to marry her as soon as he was old enough. He told me about recess and how he ran and played tag with new friends in the school yard. He shared the names of the books the class read together and sang the songs he learned. He patiently explained that libraries are for quiet voices but that he would be permitted to borrow a new book to bring home each week.
Its hard to say who enjoyed kindergarten more, Eric or me and Ken. In October his class held a Halloween Party. Eric dressed as Spiderman and Ken and I helped serve witches brew to Cinderella, The Hulk and Batman. In November, Ken dropped by the class to share a Thanksgiving Feast. We brought Beth to the Holiday Celebration in December and shared pink and red cupcakes with the class on Valentine’s Day. And before we know it, the year had passed.
For his part, Eric learned three very important things in Kindergarten. First, he learned to read. He started with small words like “a”, “is” and “it.” Later, he conquered larger works like “friend” and “better.” Before the summer break arrived, he could read “One Fish, Two Fish” by himself. Second, Eric learned to tell funny jokes. “Mom, what’s the difference between roast beef and pea soup”, he asked with a smile. “I don’t know”, I responded. “You can roast beef but you can’t pee soup”, he giggled, “Get it?” “Yes, I get it.”
Finally, Eric learned to let go of my hand. On the last day of kindergarten, I planned to walk with Eric to school just as I had on the first. This time, just a few steps from our door, he darted away from me to catch up with his buddies. They discussed soccer and Pokémon and called each other "Dude." I lagged behind feeling a bit lonely and a bit proud at the same time. As we neared the school grounds Eric turned and looked back at me. He gave me a small wave and continued on. My heart sank as I waved back. Then, suddenly, he stopped, turned and rushed back to me. He threw his arms around my waist, squeezed, and ran off again. “I love you!”, he called over his shoulder as he raced to catch his friends. “I love you too, Scooter.”, I replied.
Eric is finished his homework now. “Good work, buddy”, I compliment as I check his work, “It looks like you got them all right. Now, its time to go upstairs and get your shower”. Eric starts towards the stairs and then stops. “Mom,” he says, “Do you think you can walk me to school tomorrow.” I smile, “Sure thing, buddy.”
I’ll never forget the first day that I walked with Eric to kindergarten, a little over a year ago. He squeezed my hand tightly and clung to my side. Together we explored his new class room and greeted new friends. “What’s that?” Eric asked, pointing to the reading corner. We sat together on the carpet and paged through the books. Some were familiar titles, like Curious George and The Cat in the Hat. Others were foreign to us. We found his desk, and Ken and I helped him print his name and arranged his supplies. We shook hands with his teacher. “I think I’ll like it here.”, he smiled as Ken and I left. “Me too.”, I agreed.
That night, I sat with Eric on his bed an he told me about his day. His teacher was young, pretty and bright. Eric adored her and secretly planned to marry her as soon as he was old enough. He told me about recess and how he ran and played tag with new friends in the school yard. He shared the names of the books the class read together and sang the songs he learned. He patiently explained that libraries are for quiet voices but that he would be permitted to borrow a new book to bring home each week.
Its hard to say who enjoyed kindergarten more, Eric or me and Ken. In October his class held a Halloween Party. Eric dressed as Spiderman and Ken and I helped serve witches brew to Cinderella, The Hulk and Batman. In November, Ken dropped by the class to share a Thanksgiving Feast. We brought Beth to the Holiday Celebration in December and shared pink and red cupcakes with the class on Valentine’s Day. And before we know it, the year had passed.
For his part, Eric learned three very important things in Kindergarten. First, he learned to read. He started with small words like “a”, “is” and “it.” Later, he conquered larger works like “friend” and “better.” Before the summer break arrived, he could read “One Fish, Two Fish” by himself. Second, Eric learned to tell funny jokes. “Mom, what’s the difference between roast beef and pea soup”, he asked with a smile. “I don’t know”, I responded. “You can roast beef but you can’t pee soup”, he giggled, “Get it?” “Yes, I get it.”
Finally, Eric learned to let go of my hand. On the last day of kindergarten, I planned to walk with Eric to school just as I had on the first. This time, just a few steps from our door, he darted away from me to catch up with his buddies. They discussed soccer and Pokémon and called each other "Dude." I lagged behind feeling a bit lonely and a bit proud at the same time. As we neared the school grounds Eric turned and looked back at me. He gave me a small wave and continued on. My heart sank as I waved back. Then, suddenly, he stopped, turned and rushed back to me. He threw his arms around my waist, squeezed, and ran off again. “I love you!”, he called over his shoulder as he raced to catch his friends. “I love you too, Scooter.”, I replied.
Eric is finished his homework now. “Good work, buddy”, I compliment as I check his work, “It looks like you got them all right. Now, its time to go upstairs and get your shower”. Eric starts towards the stairs and then stops. “Mom,” he says, “Do you think you can walk me to school tomorrow.” I smile, “Sure thing, buddy.”
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