My Instead: I picked up my granddaughter Abbey from school to help her acclimate to first grade.
I remember first grade. I remember how excited I was about being
in a brand new school. It was Cathedral
Grade School’s maiden school year. My twin brother Mark and I even had our
picture on the front page of the Belleville Daily Advocate newspaper as twins
starting first grade in our brand new school. Our kindergarten teacher, Sister
Pacifica, was in the photo with us! I remember my first grade teacher Sister
Gerardo…she was buxom, walked with a limp and I liked her. I remember always
having my twin right there in the classroom with me, my little piece of home. What
I don’t remember is being sad.
My granddaughter Abbey, on the other hand, was not adjusting well
to first grade nor being in a different school. When her mom Shaundra described
to me how sad Abbey was each morning, my heart became her heart. Even though I
did not have the separation anxiety that Abbey was experiencing, I felt it to
my core. Being the usual grandma and mother-in-law, I advised Shaundra about
different things she could try to ease Abbey’s stress about school. Shaundra
had tried most of these and also some of her own. Nothing worked.
Okay, Mary, woman of action, get on it! I asked Shaundra if I
could pick up Abbey from school and have some time with her. Of course, she
said yes. She would try anything to get Abbey on track and she trusted me. That
afternoon I was right there to see my baby girl come out of school. She saw me
and we hugged. I squatted to her level and chatted with her right there. After
a minute of “us”, she asked if I wanted to meet her new friend. Of course! I
met Madison and her mom. Abbey confided to me, “Madison calms me down in the
mornings”. Thank you, Madison, for your kind heart. I teased Abbey that the
next time I pick her up she would probably have 15 new friends for me to
meet!
When we were in the car, I explained to Abbey that I used to play in
the playground right where her school is now. My brothers played Khoury League
and I would spend hours at the playground across the street. The little
merry-go-round got a workout for sure when I was there! Did
Abbey envision me as a little girl playing there?
But what I really wanted to say was this. When Shaundra and Kyle
brought Abbey home from the hospital, she was not, well, a happy camper. She
had colic which made the “new baby” experience a bit more stressful. I was
there one time when Mommy was seeing the end of her rope very clearly. She
broke down…I hugged her and cried with her. I promised her right then that I
would always be there for her. I reminded Abbey that she’s six now and I am
still keeping my promise to her mom! I also pointed out to her that even as a
baby she was not very happy being in a new place…at home and not in her mommy’s
belly anymore. But now look! She loves being at home! She immediately got my parallel
and blurted out that she would start to like school soon, just like she loves home now!
Smart kid!
How about an ice cream? Nope, Abbey wanted Mexican. Happy and connected, we made our way to Margaritas Mexican Grill in
Millstadt. We got our chicken nachos and chowed down. Our server was so happy
for us and for Abbey being such a big first grader! If there was a competition between us for being the better chatterbox, Abbey was the winner!
Did my visit make an impact on Abbey? Well, it did that day! And lately she brags when she only cries “one
time” at school. She’s making progress! And that is what life is all about,
right?
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