Graduation day
There was barely a dry eye in the place. Ten charming five-year-olds came marching into the circle wearing capes and crowns they had made themselves. One of them was my daughter. She was a baby just yesterday, I swear.
For me, there is no more powerful emotion than the love I have for my children. Seeing my daughter up there with the other graduates was exciting and heart-wrenching. She had grown so much intellectually, emotionally, and socially because of this preschool experience and now it was time to celebrate that growth and to move on to the next thing. She was sad. She understood this was a milestone, that she would be leaving behind something wonderful, and that the future was uncertain. I’m sad for the same reasons. What a gift to her it was to have such a wonderful experience. Words cannot express my gratitude to the teachers and assistants, Susanne, Melanie, Jessica, Lindsey, and Kate.
Last night, my daughter chose a bedtime story that could not have been more appropriate. Eric Carle’s A House for Hermit Crab tells a story of growing up, making friends, reflecting on the goodness in life, and moving on. Hermit Crab grows too big for his shell, so he leaves it behind for a bigger one. Over the course of a few months, he makes new friends who accompany him on his journey across the sea floor. Eventually, he grows too big for this shell and feels a bit of sadness over having to leave it, and his friends, behind. He meets a smaller hermit crab who needs a new home, and so he gives his shell to the crab and asks him to take good care of his friends. Hermit Crab then moves on to the next stage of life.
After reading the book to my daughter, I told her how I thought the story of Hermit Crab was a lot like her graduating from preschool and moving on to kindergarten. She gave me a big long hug. I think she understood.
Lily, I love you with all my heart. You are the greatest.
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