What A Difference A Y(T)ear Can Make

Another year has passed and, as typical with time, my Twerps have grown. Again. This first day of school was like none other for me. If you read this blog a year ago, first - bless your heart, second, I was in the bowels of depression and chaos. I lived in the ghetto, my kids were unhappy, I was a stranger to this new town in this new state in this new time zone in this new land. But this year, oh sweet heavenly Jesus, this year is The Year of the Pink Glitter. It is a very good year. Right up there with The Year of the Dog and Dragon. I am tellin ya.

We started with breakfast. I do not know if you have heard or not, but it is the most important meal of the day. I think it is tied with lunch and supper and snacks and dessert - but that is a discussion for another day.

Anyhoo, 6:30 am came early for my spawn --

But they were loving their PBJ banana burritos. ET smiled when she came down the stairs and said, "Mom, you never do anything normal." I took that as a complement.

Then we were off. Now can we stop for a moment to discuss 2 items up for bid:

1. How many middle schoolers do you know that WANT to walk their PreK and Kindergarten siblings in to their class and CARRY their blankies and help them along the way?!?!?!

2. She wants to tell you about her first day of school outfit so pretend you see nothing. Mmmm-Kay?

First we dropped Baby Twerp off. He went right over to check on HIS pet -- Kermit. Kermit and Baby Twerp met last Thursday. BT has adopted Kermit and let the teacher know right of the bat that his seat was the one next to Kermit and all. He even went ahead and moved his name tag. Lordy Be.
There were no issues AT ALL in BT's class. The only issue was getting Middle Twerp to LEAVE! He was lovin it and fought me tooth and nail to get outta there. UNTIL I said, "You know your teacher has a gecko?!"And he said, "What you talkin about Willis?" And took off sprinting.Yes my friends. The Year of the Pink Glitter is a very good year.

As I walked out to the other wailing and consoling Kindergarten mothers, I told ET to pinch me -- cause my eyes were dry. As a matter of fact, I think I mighta been doin the electric slide -- there was joy in my heart. Down in my heart to stay. And let me tell you what the devil can do it he doesn't like it -- he can sit on a tack.

Anyhoo, off to MIDDLE SCHOOL. I was so excited for this sweet girl. And as I pulled around to drop her off (cognisant of the fact she is in MIDDLE SCHOOL) ET turned to me and said,

"Do you wanna walk me in and all?"

"ET, do you WANT me to walk you in?"

Yea"

So, I parked and walked my middle school daughter in for her first day.

I stopped to talk to the police man to ask about tomorrow's parking and I glanced at ET and did not hear a word he said, cause as I looked over at my young lady, she was meeting and greeting and here is the kicker....she stopped to help Austin.

WHO IS AUSTIN? That is what I asked. She met Austin at Meet and Greet last week. He moved here from Dallas, Texas and had surgery on his leg to lengthen it by 3 inches this summer. He is in a contraption with pins and braces and he had tears in his eyes.

She walked over...said "Hey Austin." And took his backpack he was struggling wtih off his shoulder and walked him to the cafeteria -- their first stop.

Then, they all piled in and chatted like no biggie.I had held it together through PreK. I was unemotional and dry eyed through Kindergarten. But this? This young lady? She did me in. I walked out of Middle School crying. Out of pride, out of awe, out of amazement, out of relief. She gets it. She understands. Life is about others. Life is about giving. And if last year's struggles set the foundation for this, then it was worth it.

The Year of Dog Poop was worth it. And she? She's gonna be just fine.