My baby girl is growing up. Today was a monumental day for two reasons. Lindy is attending her first “summer camp” at her daddy’s theatre company! A whole week of playing and acting and then a little performance on Friday. This is the first time I’ve dropped her off for this extended period of time and I’ve had time just to myself -for a week straight! I felt like I was dropping her off for kindergarten with her little lunchbox and pep talk on how to behave and answer the teacher when she asks questions. *Tear*
Parents could stick around and watch the kids get adjusted into the program, so Dale and I stood out of sight around the corner. LOVE all the teachers and assistants, we’ve known them for years -Dale taught almost ALL of them when they were younger.
The second monumental thing happened that I wasn’t prepared for. Folks in our support group have said, these moments will creep up and hit you at the least expected moments and it did.
At camp, they started to play a game called “cross the room.” I’m sure you have played it before. You line up on one side and if the teacher says something that applies to you…you cross the room to the other side. Started out with the simple stuff, “I have a cat” “I have a dog” and then it happened. I KNEW the questions were coming. “I have a younger sibling.” “I have an older brother.” Lindy stayed on her side of the wall. “I am an only child.” Dale and I held our breath, no knowing how she’d respond. She’s never been asked that question before. She stayed on the wall, didn’t move. We were so proud. She GOT it.
THEN, the wonderful, oh so lovely teacher (I love you dear, no worries) called her out and said, “Lindy, you’re an only child right?!” and Lindy politely pranced to the other side, looking up at the teacher saying, “I have a baby brother.” I don’t even know if the teacher heard her but it was precious and heartbreaking and just plain hard to see Lindy put in that simple situation.
Of course, I don’t expect everyone to be thinking of our sweet baby Everett, but it is constantly there in our minds…waiting to be acknowledged. Dale and I wept in the hallway. She will have to face those questions for the rest of her life.
We are so proud of you little girl. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to say “I have a baby sister.” Real soon little girl.
