How Far You've Come...

Eighteen months ago, I stood in front of Lakeside Elementary, with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I heard you sobbing for me, trying to run out of the school, as I thrust you at an unknown teacher who held you as I walked away.

You cried at Kindergarten, you cried at Sunday school, you cried at soccer practice, you cried when I tried to go to a meeting. You were horrible at home and acted out with everything. Those 30 days were not your best 30 days.

Last Tuesday night, I stood inside Lakeside Elementary, with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I cheered and clapped and found myself looking around at other people like, "Is this really happening? Is that really her, who just remembered four different lines at four different times? That belted out four songs, with every parent and every student staring at her?"

You smiled, waved, laughed and beamed like I've never seen you beam before. You spent all of January working your tail off at after-school practices, you would do your homework happily (after a nine hour day!) and wake up with a spring in your step. You jumped two reading levels and learned math families. You missed us terribly but loved us up when you were home. These 30 days were possibly the best 30 days you have ever had.

I was a proud, proud mom. But what I really loved was seeing you LOVING what you were doing, 100% confident, and so very proud of YOURSELF.

This was you, when you were six, in your very first play. Totally comfortable, totally capable, and a 100% happy Lucy.