Kindergarten Graduation: Ready to Jump to 1st Grade

   Yesterday I watched as my son graduated from kindergarten.  I don’t know what I expected when I arrived at the school for kindergarten graduation and took my place in the row of chairs facing my son’s class, but I certainly didn’t expect to be overwhelmed with the urge to cry or the memories that flooded my brain as I watched the events unfold.


      

           I remembered the first moment I laid eyes on my son and how my whole being filled with unconditional love for him.  That feeling returned as he waved and a smile lit his face that could turn night to day at my arrival.  It was if in that moment he and I were the only ones there in that classroom.  The feeling quickly faded as one over zealous parent stumbled past me with a camcorder the size of an elephant’s a$$.  There really was no available room on the other side of me for her, but she pushed her way through and made room for herself.  Seconds later, I heard her exclaim “Damn it, my battery just died!”  I glanced in her direction and tried to remember my manners and force myself not to stare at her predicament.  My eyes found my son again, as she almost took out the child sized play kitchen that stood between her and the wall with her monstrosity of a camera.  I allowed myself to smirk, but nothing more.  

        I watched as he and his class performed several songs with so much confidence.  The time then came when his teacher began calling each student to come forward and accept their diploma.  Instead of racing up to her and snatching his diploma away and running hell bent for election to his seat like he had at the first of the year when he received an award for integrity, I watched my son stand up, walk sedately to his teacher, accept his diploma and then turn towards me with a smile that lit the room and wait for me to take a picture.  Just as unexpected were the tears of undulated pride that pricked my eyes.  I jumped up and took a picture just as I was expected to do and he returned to his seat beaming from ear to ear.  His smile was infectious.  I couldn’t help grinning like a blooming idiot as he literally glowed with his achievement.

        There have been moments this past year when I wondered if we would ever make it to this day.  I remembered the surgery he underwent last fall, and his accident leading to a severe concussion this spring.  I remembered the amazement I felt when he was moved into a first grade math class and his ability to not only do the work given him correctly but with relative ease.   I also remember when he finally decided to share with me that yes, he did know how to read!  I remembered the pride and amazement I felt when we went to the all school art show and seen for the first time the artwork he had created.  I felt the pride rush back from just the day before when he had brought that same art home along with a certificate and blue ribbon for his participation.

         I realized as I watched the proceedings, gone forever was that sweet, precious baby I held in my arms and in his place was a little boy ready to proceed on to first grade and life with confidence and determination.   I could see how he had changed, and realized how much he had grown over the course of the school year and I realized this was only the beginning until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.