To My Daughter Who is Now Part of the Class 2020

Dear Princess,

As I type this, you are more than halfway through your first day of kindergarten. You’ve made it through your first morning. You’ve gotten through your first lunch. You’re in the home stretch now! School gets out in about two and a half hours, and I can’t wait to see you get off the bus and hear all about your first day.

You were up early this morning, and looked absolutely adorable in your skirt and yellow t-shirt. I’m sorry I couldn’t do the hair-do you wanted (how on earth do you remember how Lilly had her hair done on Hannah Montana?!), but I have to say, the ‘do we did was adorable. I wish you had eaten more breakfast – I have been kind of worried about how hungry you would be come lunch time, but I know you’ll be okay. I think maybe you were a little nervous, and maybe unaccustomed to being up so early again.

I find it hard to believe I have a kid in kindergarten. Actually, though I may be a bit biased, I thought you were ready to go to kindergarten last year (but those stinkers at the school have this rule about your age… and you were too young). Sometimes I am shocked by how smart you are, and I have to keep my bragging toned down, as no one likes the smug mom whose kid is better than everyone else. But, you, my crazy lady, you are so smart. And you are so personable. You are kind. You are funny. You are really really amazing. All of those things are why I don’t worry too much about the fact that you don’t have any of your friends in your classroom. I know it’s just a matter of time before you turn those “strangers” into friends.

This morning, after you got on the bus, I called Grandma and said, “There she goes! She’s off!” and she asked me, “Did you cry?” I laughed at her and told her, “Of course not.” Seeing you grow, seeing you change, watching you move forward in the world is not sad to me. Each step forward you take reminds me that Daddy and I are doing our jobs in making sure you’re ready for each new step and making sure you know that we’re here, and letting you test your (kindergarten) wings. The world is an amazing place and today, you are getting a taste of it. By the time you get home today, you’ll have ridden the bus twice, you’ll have navigated your way to and from the cafeteria, you’ll have had recess, and who knows what else.

I can’t wait to hear all about it.

I love you with my whole heart.
Love,
Mom

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re of to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So… Get on your way!
–Dr. Suess