Preparation

Now that the ice is all gone from sidewalks in the neighborhood, Stephen, Matthew, and I went for a walk this morning. It was the first one we've had in quite a while; I've missed the exercise and the fresh air. The boys were full of pent-up energy they needed to discharge. They ran practically the whole way, dashing down to the end of the block and racing back.

While we walked, I felt sad to think we wouldn't be running into Miss Eleanor, an elderly neighbor who died recently. Up until her final illness a few months ago, Miss Eleanor was a neighborhood angel who gave rides to car-less folks, provided free translation services to recent Polish immigrants, and took casseroles to shut-ins. She spent almost as much time walking around the neighborhood as we did. Whenever the twins and I ran into her on one of our walks, she would dig into her pockets for any loose change she could find to give them. She always made a big fuss over the boys. I was sorry to hear of her passing. The neighborhood seems a poorer place without her.

The greatest antidote to worry, whether you're getting ready for spaceflight or facing a problem of daily life, is preparation.

--John Glenn

Daniel is never particularly communicative when I pick him up from school, but he was even quieter than usual this afternoon. He snapped at his brothers several times for no reason and seemed moody. I asked him what was wrong, but he shrugged his shoulders.

Finally, I asked him if he was worried about going to a new school for the day tomorrow, and he nodded yes. So we talked for awhile about what his day would be like. I told him that although he wouldn't know any of the kids, I was sure they would be friendly and that the teacher would be nice.

"Will she be patient?" he asked.

"I'm sure she will. She knows that you are new there and that you don't know what the routine is. She'll help you. It's only for one day, Dans, and then you can go back to your usual school on Thursday."

The only other question he had was: "Are there monkey bars in the play area?"

I didn't know the answer to that one, so I promised we would stop by the school after we picked up Tab. That way he could see the play area for himself.

When we arrived around 7 p.m. the school was lighted and parents and children were coming and going. It must have been the evening for one of the religious education classes. Since the building was open, Tab took Daniel inside. He pointed out the two first grade rooms and told Daniel that he would be in one of those rooms tomorrow.

Daniel seemed much more at ease when they emerged from the school. I think it helped him to know exactly where he was going so that it won't all be new to him tomorrow.

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