Bittersweet Blessings

Yesterday was Jade's last day at school. To call it bittersweet would be an understatement. We've been waiting for this day for a long time. It was a great feeling to know that we were done with busses and lunchboxes. Done with not knowing what her education looks like. That part was very good.

But the actual seperation was very difficult. I went to school during last recess to talk to the teacher and gather her things. When everyone came in, it was time to say good-bye. I started to get a little choked up when she hugged her teacher and all her friends. They all love her so much. I almost totally lost it when she hugged Miss Mindy. Miss Mindy has been her faithful aide for 2 years and they are so good together. Mindy was having a terrible time with it and I heard her sobbing as she left the classroom. I held it together until we got to the truck, then had a little breakdown of my own.

Jade did well. I wasn't sure if she understood what was going on. She said good-bye like she'd see everyone again tomorrow. But she was quiet on the drive home, unusual for her. We had been prepping her at home, reading a social story about saying good-bye and having school at home. But you can never be sure what she understands.

I was prepared for a battle this morning. I was quite sure she would get up at the usual 6:30 and we would have screaming for the next 2 hours or so. But it didn't happen. She slept in until 7:30, got up, had her Crispix, and never said anything about school or the bus. We wrote a letter to her friends at school and read some Bible verses during school time then she went out to play. It has been a calm and blessed morning. Praise the Lord!

The good news from her teacher yesterday... Jade is at a 2nd grade level in reading & math. She reads phonetically too. Woo-hoo! Now I'm just praying for the creativity that she is going to need to stay focused.