The Longest Shortest Time

Fingers and Sneakers

I just dropped Sasha off for her first day ever of school. Well, not school school. Kind of a pre-pre-school, just a couple mornings a week. I know that many of you experienced this much earlier than I have, and that your children are are away from you for many more hours than mine. So I won’t dwell on the feelings that go along with this momentous occasion. Except to say that I cried on my way home. And I felt an eerie quietness wash over me as I entered our empty apartment, wondering what she will be doing in this new part of her life that doesn’t involve me at all.

Also. I am not so much afraid of how she will handle this transition. I know she will adjust, just like everyone else. What’s had me nervous over the last few days is that once she becomes comfortable she’ll start talking. A lot. And she’ll undoubtedly say some of her favorite words to her teachers. She’ll tell them about how she likes to eat with her fingers (or fuhkers, as she pronounces it). And she’ll ask them to put on her sneakers (or nuhkers). In preparation for school I have been trying to get her to enunciate better, so the teachers don’t think I am encouraging my baby to gleefully shout naughty—or horribly offensive—words. All I can hope is that the context in which she says those words will provide some clear meaning.

Fuhkers crossed.

Anyone got funny or sad or funny-sad first day of school stories to share? About children of any age?

*UPDATE: The phone rang while I was writing this post and I *tiptoed* to go answer it. Because, y’know, if this house is quiet, there must be a sleeping baby in here!