Saturday, May 15, 2010

Four hugs a day... That's the minimum.

It's hard to believe my sweet girl is wrapping up first grade. And it's even harder to believe I've now celebrated Mother's Day (as a Momma) six times. Each year it gets better and better.

Her Highness' class put on a special program for Mother's ONLY. Her Highness reminded me at least 84 times, "Do you have a babysitter? You know the boys are NOT invited! Only MOMS can come! Do you have a babysitter??" She wasn't convinced that Bert could handle the job and kept encouraging me to schedule a real sitter. Bert made sure to work from home that morning so I could go and obey the "Moms ONLY" rule.

It was such a precious program. All the children were dressed to the nines and sang their sweet hearts out.

Pop a Dramamine and check out this video. Please excuse the Blair Witch film crew....

How cute is that little boy behind Her Highness?? I'm surprised he never fainted due to his knees being locked the entire time.


After the adorable singing program, we headed back to their classroom and enjoyed a lovely candle light brunch. There were table cloths and everything! So sweet. Their teacher took pictures of each student and had them decorate a frame to give each Mother. As if all of that wasn't enough to make me cry, there was also a slide show playing with pictures of each child and a quote underneath as to why their Mommy was special, set to Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me." Oh. My. Word. Talk about water works.

For the kids whose Mothers couldn't be there, a staff member filled-in, so no child was eating alone. The first grade teachers went to a lot of trouble to create a wonderful morning of memories, for us all.

Her Highness began to tear up, which I thought was induced by my own tears, as well as every warm-blooded mother in the room, so I tried to reassure her that we were all crying from such a sweet morning. Her Highness lost it. Completely. I scooped her up and carried her out in the hallway, so she wouldn't be embarrassed in front of her class. She continued sobbing and explained that she was sad about her teacher retiring, since she wouldn't be able to hug her in the halls next year. She was sad that some of the mommies couldn't be there, and didn't understand why some of the (same) mommies never came to anything.

"Well, Honey. I'm sure they had to work today. If I had a job, I might not have gotten to come either." She continued sobbing, "No, Momma. Her mother doesn't even work! She said so yesterday... that she was mad that her mother wasn't coming and she doesn't even work!"

A huge lump filled my throat. How do you answer that? Her Highness wasn't done though. She almost sent me over the edge with her following statement... "And, Momma. Some of the girls today didn't even have a dress to wear for the program. Some of them had to borrow a dress from Alan's Mom. She brought them dresses to wear and tried to sneak them in the bathroom to change. But I saw her. Why did they not have a dress?? That makes me sad to think that some girls don't even have a dress!"

Her Highness' first glimpse into the real world. A world that's unfair and unkind and unsafe for so very many. A world where children are hungry and hurting, and not just physically, but emotionally too. A world that even I, as a 29 year old, can't quite grasp. Part of me wanted to pick that innocent baby up and run home. To shield her away from that world. Thoughts of rocking her while holding on to her beloved Poppie (blankie) and singing "Hush Little Baby" almost drove me to it. But, now that my 6 3/4 (that 3/4 is very important right now) year old daughter's eyes have been opened, I pray they will never be closed. As painful as it was to experience her heart ache, I was grateful for those precious moments, including the sad introduction to what is called LIFE. Grateful for the situation in which we live. Grateful that Her Highness is mine, and I am hers....

Right before my very eyes Her Highness is growing up. And becoming a role model....

I love that she's always had the ability to dance like no one's watching, even when a couple of hundred parents were watching....

I feel so blessed to be her biggest fan and witness her shining moments....

And grateful that I get to witness those quiet moments which make her shine.

Just as she was so proud to sing, I hope she's always proud to give those "Four hugs a day" to all those around her. Especially those who need it most... like the precious souls from her class.

9 comments:

Brittny said...

she is so precious!!! my mom told me about your blog a while ago and it has had both of us laughing until our sides hurt! your family, and your writing about them, is so funny and wonderful at the same time. thank you for helping me see the laughter in each day!

brooke said...

What as sweet post. I would have been sobbing too watching that slideshow. Sometimes the music is what sets it all off for me. You have such a beautiful little girl and I know you must be so incredibly proud of her.

Lindy said...

Oh, Her Highness is SO precious! I will always tell her that, even when she's 30 and having her own babies. Don't you wish you could just freeze time and keep her young and innocent. What a sweet little heart she has to be upset for the other kids in her class! So, so sweet!

Love, L

tarheelmom said...

wiping a tear...don't you love and hate to see them grow up? and love and hate them experiencing the world! thank goodness for good mommies like you!

Kiera said...

Ok, now I"m crying.. She is so stinkin sweet and has the most tender heart. I love that. YOu are an awesome mommy to her and that truely shows!!

Kristy said...

What a sweet, touching post and what a special girl you have. Love you, cous!

Whitney said...

Alright now..I love your posts, but my crying over them is gonna have to stop. LOL. Her Highness is such a sweet soul! And what an awesome little lady she is turning into! I hate that she has to learn so young that the world is the way it is. She has such a big heart. :) One day, she'll make a difference to many! I'm sure of it!

Dana said...

So very sweet.. I'm crying of course...

The Hills said...

Thanks for the early morning cry session! What a caring little lady you have raised. I pray my little boys can show the same love and compassion that your sweet little one does! You are a great example for her!