This is a day that I didn’t expect.  I’ve always been the mom who promotes my child’s independence as much as safely possible.  Though she’s my one and only baby whom I consider my greatest accomplishment, I don’t want to smother her with it.  I want to give her just enough room to be who she wants to be confidently and responsibly.

When asked about how I felt prior to her first day of kindergarten, I was certain I wouldn’t be a weepy mom.  After all, I’m excited for her and her new adventure.  I’m also excited for us and the new adventures we’ll be able to share together as she gets older and able to do more.

I’ve always been a very emotional person {ask my old girlfriends}.  However, I’ve gotten better at hiding it over the years.  Then I woke up the morning of Lilie Jo’s first day of school.  The emotions hit me like a pound of bricks.  Before I even pulled the covers back, I found myself in the middle of a full on crying session.  Here I was proud, puzzled and crying uncontrollably.  You have no idea how badly this confused me.  It threw my whole morning off.

Lilie Jo, on the other hand, handled it like a champ.  I hid my emotions from her and encouraged and fueled her excitement, instead.  She came home happy as a lark, going on and on about how it was “the best day ever.”

I am so proud of what a good person she already is.  Lilie Jo is so compassionate and full of empathy.  She is creative, thoughtful and very clever.  Her powers are usually used for good, thank goodness.  Friends come easily for Lil and her perspective is beautiful.  She is such an amazing little lady.

My greatest accomplishment, indeed.