We chose Northern Lights Public School for Matthew’s junior kindergarten because it’s a great school nearby. He’ll be attending two days a week, and three days every other week during his first year.
The other day, I decided to walk with him to school. He didn’t put up a fight, but it wasn’t his best walking day. It took us about twenty-five minutes to make the journey at a slow pace. Hopefully, by next Thursday, Matthew will be more focused on walking to school, and I won’t have to empty our pockets of the stones, flowers, and tree branches we collected along the way.
We’ve decided to skip the school bus for Matthew. He’ll be walking to school, and of course, I’ll be walking with him. We’re used to walking around Aurora, so I’m confident he can handle it. It’s only two days a week, and if it’s raining or really cold, I’ll just drive him to school. It’s not super close, but 1.6 km is definitely doable.
We’re all set for school with our knapsack, lunchbox (which Matthew used to call a big box of food), clothes, and stickers. But are we truly prepared? Matthew seems confident, but I can’t help feeling nervous for him. I know I’m going to miss him so much. I’m trying to hold back my tears until the first day of school, but today almost got me while I was making pancakes.
It’s amazing to think that he’s starting school. It feels like just yesterday we were at the Hamilton Park playground, grabbing a bite at McDonald’s and Tim Hortons, and getting his first library card at the Aurora Public Library. We’ve had so many firsts together—walking through the Arboretum, strolling along the McKenzie Marsh boardwalk, and exploring the Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk.
Next week, he’ll be heading to Northern Lights Public School for the first time. I know he’ll do great, but it’s going to be tough not being there to see it. For the past four years, I’ve been by his side every day, but now I’ll be just 1.6 km away, and it’ll feel like miles.
Now that I’ll have all this free time, I’m thinking about how to adjust to these recent changes. I might spend some time cleaning and organizing the house, or maybe not. Another idea is to go on more photo adventures around Aurora.
“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.”
Leo Tolstoy
But here’s a better idea—why not hang out around the Optimist playground and use my zoom lens to watch Matthew during recess? Maybe for just the month of September, I’ll embrace being a bit of a “stalking mom.” Or, I might just let go.
