Daniel's Day

Daniel had his visit to Saint Ann's School today. We arrived at the school shortly before 8 a.m., reporting to the office as we'd been directed. One of the office ladies showed us the way to the first grade classroom where Daniel would be spending the day. The teacher, who seemed kind, greeted Daniel, introduced him to some of the other children, and showed him a desk where he could sit. I told her he was a little nervous, and she nodded sympathetically. "Of course. But we'll have fun today, Daniel."

I left the room, but stood outside the door watching him for a while. His back was toward me, and he looked so small in that big room. The teacher was sitting down next to him, talking to him. I suppose she was explaining the way things work in her classroom. I watched for awhile, then left. Then I ran back again to take one last look at him. He was talking to his seatmate, a little boy who, strangely enough, looked a lot like Daniel, with short, very blond hair.

I was a wreck by the time I got to the car. Tab took one look at my tearstained face and gave my hand a sympathetic squeeze. "He'll be fine."

"I know," I answered. "Still.... All I can say is: you'd better plan to take the day off on the twins first day of school next September. I'm going to be a wreck."

All day long I watched the clock, wondering how Daniel was. Was he scared, being in a new place? Were the other kids being nice to him? Was the teacher patient, as he had hoped?

At 2 o'clock, Stephen, Matthew, and I drove back to the school to pick him up. When he saw me he gave me a big hug and announced: "I didn't want to go so soon." It turns out he'd had a great time. He chattered on about the things he did there. "I hope I'll be in Room 2B next year," he said. "That's where all my friends will be."

So much for maternal worry.

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