long short story

[Guest guest]

This is one of those stories of mine that need a long explanation to tell a

short story. Please bear with me, as the ending is SO COOL!

The standard school routine for all other children is: arrive early, line up

with your class at the outer door, enter school with your class when the bell

rings. It's a chaotic, crazy scene, despite how orderly it sounds. In

kindergarten, could handle it, but in grade one he just couldn't - for

whatever reason.

For all of this school year, our routine has been: leave the house at 8:54,

arrive at school after bell has rung, park right outside playground gate.

runs from the car to the door, all of 25 feet across the deserted playground

while I wave from the car. It cuts the time close, but his teacher says he gets

into the classroom on time, so she doesn't object.

THIS morning, we were early. I have no idea how that happened; it's a

one-in-a-million occurence. The line-ups were still outside, but we managed to

get a parking space right at the corner of the fence, 50 feet from the gate.

I said, " , we have three choices: drive around til the bell rings and we can

park at the gate; walk up to the lineup together, or you go up the sidewalk and

in the gate by yourself. "

The last option filled me with horror, but I had to offer it. " I wanna walk in

by myself, " he said.

" Okay! " I was terrified, but totally proud of him too. And confident, because

I had a clear sightline for his whole walk from car to lineup.

He took his backpack, said goodbye, and shut the car door. He walked about 15

feet, then came back and opened the door again.

" I'm afraid to walk by myself, " he said.

I jumped out, walked him to the gate, and stood outside the fence while he got

in his class lineup. When he looked at me, I gave him a huge thumbs up and a

big grin. Then the line went in.

I am SO PROUD he told me he was afraid! I am SO PROUD he COULD tell me he was

afraid! I am SO PROUD that he TRIED to do it on his own!!!!!

It totally made up for the fact he was verbally stimming, singing in his

tuneless monotonous buzzing all the way to school!!! :-)

Just had to share! :-D

Jacquie