The First Day of School

thoughts of the first day of school always surface about now
the memories are a mix of my own memories and of when my girls were little

being a single, working mom - I took the first day off to be a part of that first day
sometimes there were pictures
and the list of required supplies
new backpacks, lunchboxes
clothes, shoes
those first few days were busy and exciting
and then the routine set in and the exhileration waned

and I have my very own memory of my very first day of school.   Ever.
those that know me very well are most likely aware that I did not go to Kindergarten
(I seize every opportunity to complain about what I 'think' I missed)
I don't really know why I wasn't enrolled - or my older brother
my older sister and younger brother went
one of those 'things'

so, my very first day of school was at Guardian Angels School in Detroit
my mom took me (she must have walked me because I don't believe she drove then)
and to my dismay, deposited me with this woman dressed in black from head to toe
I can only imagine what I was thinking that day
I am sure I pretty much thought my mother was getting rid of me
I assume when I was naughty, this might have come up    just a guess
because I vaguely realized at that moment 'this was it'

I cried and cried - not wanting my mom to leave me
it was the worst day of my young life - one of those profound moments
it must have been quite the scene, now as I think about it
but I remember Sister Joanna Mary wrapping her arms around me as my mother walked away
all these years later, I still feel a ping in my heart when I recall that day

I don't know how long it took me to settle down and relax that day
or what it was like when the school day was over
I don't even remember if my mom came to pick me up or I walked the 8+ blocks home with my sister and brother
but that first day of school was a big ordeal for Little B

and after all these years, I still wonder what Kindergarten would have been like     ♥