Firework: From Kindergarten To First Grade

Dear Moo,

You did it!  Congratulations, you have officially graduated Kindergarten and will be advancing to First Grade this August.  I'm so proud of you and all the hard work you put in.  Your first year of school did not get off to a great start, but you hung in there.  You were such the determined little trooper.

This past school year you overcame so much including the Mean Girls, adjusting to having three different teachers in one school year and coming out of your shell.  Speaking of coming out of your shell, you blossomed into quite the social butterfly this year.  It was great to see making friends with kids your class.  I think that was hands down the highlight of your school year.

The second highlight of your school year were the fieldtrips!  You got to go to a farm to pick pumpkins and visit the petting zoo.  And you had your first trip to Discovery Place Kids.  You really enjoyed Discovery Place Kids and have been asking to go back.  I can't say that blame you because there was so much to see and do there.  I'm sure we'll fit it into our summer plans.

Your favorite elective class was art.  I wasn't surprised because you're my little firework.  You have tons of artwork and I can't for to look back on some of the pictures you made when you're older.   Gym was your least favorite elective.  You were not a fan of all the running and walking they made you all do on the track.

I already knew you were very bright for your age, but we discovered that you're quite the math whiz!   You won the Excellence in Mathematics award all four school quarters.  I'm hoping this continues to be the case as math only gets more complex the higher you advance.  You aced all of your end-of-year goals and tests.

My highlight of your first year of school was becoming the class mom.  It was fun getting to hang out with you in your class and accompany you on fieldtrips.  We were able to get in lots of mommy-daughter bonding time.  I got to watch you in action interacting with your friends.  I have to say that I'm very proud of the friends you've made.  You've aligned yourself with other kids who are passionate about learning and who believe in showing compassion to others.

Partners in crime forever after Moo's kindergarten graduation

We both disliked that your school had uniform policy and were super excited when you finally got to pick out an outfit that showed off your personality for your kindergarten graduation.   You'll be going to a new school this upcoming school year.  We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that some of your friends will be joining you at the new school.  I can't wait to see all of the new memories you will make.

I'm beyond proud of you.  Keep showing 'em what you're worth my little firework!

Random Thoughts

Ok, I have been totally slacking on my blog posts this week.  I'm kind of mad at myself for missing my Wishful Wednesday post too.  I mean I had written something really private and touching out, but somehow never got around to typing and posting it.  Yes, I still prewrite the old fashion way with a notepad and a pen. Somehow, I just feel like my thoughts flow more naturally without the click and clack of the key board to disturb me.  Not to mention, I can't see all those red lines that lets me know how bad my spelling has gotten since I graduated from JWU.

Anyways, I will back next Wednesday with my Wishful post. But today, was just wonderful.  I love, love, love family. And mine is the coolest.  We have our moments when we can stand each other like everybody else, but at the end of the day we love each other to death.  And today was a cause for celebration.  My niece, Miss O, graduated from Pre-K!!!

Yes, it's very exciting I know. Just being back in that school made a rush of memories explode in my head. I remember going to Pre-K and Kindergarten there and my graduation.  Although, my graduation from Pre-K was bittersweet.  I was excited because I was moving up and becoming a big kid, but sad as looked at the empty chair next to me where my first best friend was suppose to be.  During our Spring Break, he was killed in a hit and run accident down the street and around the corner from where I lived. 

My parents knew I would be heart broken and couldn't break the news to me.  So, my aunt, who was also my teacher, told me the last day of our Spring Break.  I was devastated.  Actually, I was beyond devastated.  For two days I turned into a mute and couldn't go home.  So, I stayed with my other aunt (Lill), who was my 2nd mommy, for a week.  I remember her asking me if I wanted to go to the funeral and I shook my head no.

She asked if I was sure and said that she didn't want me to regret it later.  I still said no. Over the course of the school year, Bill had become more than my first bff.  He was the first boy I kissed and fell head over heals in love with.  Yes, I was in love at the ripe age of 5. LOL.  I can't explain it, but I was very intelligent and mature for my 5 years of age.  Somehow, I knew it was love that I felt for him and that it was different from the love that I felt for my other friends, my family and my parents.

And the fact that he was white and I was black with a mixture of Native American and white didn't matter to us.  Probably because we were kids and we both had parents who didn't see color but people and raised us the same.  To this day, I don't regret not going to Bill's funeral.  I know that he wants me to remember him the way was and not have that image tainted by death.  Years later when I was junior high school, I penned a few poems in memory of him for my English class.  Even now that I'm older, have a child of my own and somewhat of a relationship with another man who has captured my heart, I still find myself thinking of my departed friend.

I wonder what if he would have lived?  Would have been high school sweethearts?  Hell, would our love have even survived past the summer before our Kindergarten year?  I never got to find out.  But if God allows us to see another lifetime once the coming of Christ has happened and the Earth is rendered empty, I pray that he gives us the chance to find out.