First Day of School

Today, in honor of my kids' first day of school, here is a link (and below the text) to Prayer for Ellie, from Rated P. Not a first day of school goes by where I don't get misty eyed; today was no exception.

Share your "first day" experiences in the comment section below. I'd love to hear from you!

 Prayer for Ellie
(simply)
HERE ON THE CORNER OF GLEN RD. AND FROST HILL WAY
I HAVE THE INSTINCT TO GET ON MY KNEES AND PRAY.
FOR MY ELLIE
AS SHE EMBARKS ON HER FIRST DAY.

I WISH MY MOTHER
COULD BE HERE WITH ME RIGHT NOW
WITH A TISSUE AND A KISS
ASTUTELY RAISED LEFT EYEBROW.
TO SEE MY DAUGHTER, FIVE YEARS OLD
MOM, SHE'S MY WORLD AND MY LIFE
SO, IF I MAY BE SO BOLD…

MAKE SURE SHE'S PICKED FIRST
AND MAYBE KICKS A GOAL.
LET HER COMPETE WITH GRACE AND POISE.
PLEASE CAST HER IN A STARRING ROLE
IN THE SCHOOL PLAY.
DEFEND HER FROM THOSE BULLY BOYS.

AND WHILE YOU'RE LISTENING
PROMISE YOU'LL PROTECT
THE SMILE THAT SOMETIMES
ALL THIS GROWING UP DESTROYS.

I PRAY NO KIDS ARE MEAN
AND NO ONE MAKES HER CRY.
PLEASE PICK HER UP IF SHE SHOULD FALL.
I PRAY THAT NO ONE SAYS SHE'S TOO FAT OR TOO DUMB
TOO SMART, TOO WEIRD
TOO BLONDE, TOO TALL.

HERE ON THE CORNER
WITH YOU WATCHING FROM ABOVE
I FEEL YOUR QUIET STRENGTH
I FEEL YOUR ENDLESS MOTHER'S LOVE.
AND NOW I PRAY YOU HELP ME BE
THE KIND OF MOTHER THAT YOU WERE TO ME.

IT’S REALLY HAPPENING
I'M WAVING AT THE BUS
THE BUS ALREADY PULLED AWAY.
AND SO I END MY PRAYER AS SIMPLY AS I CAN.
MOM, HELP OUR ELLIE … AND HER MOMMY … BE OK.
LIGHTS SHIFT.