On August 31, 2010 our granddaughter Charlise starts kindergarten. She’s our first granddaughter, so she gets to do all the ‘firsts’. Tomorrow is a big day for her and for us, too. It seems like just yesterday that she was born. Now she starts kindergarten. She’s ready; we’re not. She’s still our baby girl (and always will be).
But I’ve been thinking about ‘first days’ a lot lately:
Charlise starts her first day of school at Central Elementary – it sounds so official. Do I need to go there and make sure that the teachers and principal know how special she is? I know that they will teach her. But will they protect her? Love her? Care for her? Will they know that she’s too precious to be considered “just another kindergartener”?
My nephew David is getting married this weekend and he and Laura will soon have their ‘first day’ as husband and wife. Do they understand what this all means (does anyone)? Are they really prepared to love, honor and (I don’t know – do we still say “obey”)? Will their ‘honeymoon’ last forever? Is their life together going to be ‘The Excellent Adventure’ that marriage is meant to be?
My daughter and son-in-law are about to welcome a new baby into their home. And his or her ‘first day’ will change EVERYTHING. Bess is due in just a couple of weeks and right now the anticipation of a new baby is a little nerve-racking but the miracle of another new life makes it all worthwhile. This baby’s ‘first day’ will be a cause for joy and celebration and will become this special little someone’s ‘birthday’ to be celebrated each year!
All ready for her first day!
These ‘first days’ are only important because they mark the start of something bigger: a new academic beginning; a new marriage; a new life. ‘First days’ are full of emotion and joy and apprehension and unknown. Imagine if each day was treated like a ‘first day’. Think about how exciting your job would be if you looked at each day as a ‘first day’ – dressing up and having your picture taken before you ventured out. Wonder, if you will, about how much better your marriage could be if you were as excited about rolling over in bed to kiss goodnight as you were on your wedding day. What if you could get ‘butterflies in your stomach’ just thinking about sharing breakfast together? And what if each day was celebrated as a ‘birthday’? What kind of change in attitude might we experience if we thanked God each day for our life and the lives of those we love? How different would we feel if we celebrated the miracle of life constantly – even the cranky middle-aged lives like mine?
Tomorrow will be Charlise’s ‘first day’ and I will be proud and happy for her and a little emotional. There will probably be a special ‘first day’ breakfast before she leaves the house. There will be excitment all day and lots to talk about when she gets home. What fun!
I’m praying that I can be just as excited about coming to work tomorrow. Maybe I’ll dress up and have Deb take my picture before I leave the house. Who knows it could the ‘first day’ of my new attitude!
Peace,
Denis
Journeying & Journaling 