Behold, the miracle that is Aggie going to kindergarten!

To Aggie, on your first day of kindergarten:

Today, my Aggie flower is dancing off to school, ready to bloom in another garden. You and Lorraine have been chattering excitedly about school for weeks now. When we went school shopping last week, the only thing you insisted that you have was a green backpack, because green makes you think of Peter Pan. You wore your beloved green backpack throughout our shopping trip, and tenderly buckled it in the seat next to you for the ride home! Now it bounces along on your back as you skip off to your first day of school. My brave girl is facing her next milestone with wide open arms, a light heart, and that huge Aggie smile I love so much.

As you leave your preschool years behind without a second thought, I am reminded how quickly life is changing. It was not so long ago that you were my pink little baby, riding on my hip and loudly expressing your opinions. It was not so long ago that you were the wild toddler, running to me with skinned knees and bruises. It was not so long ago that you were sick, wandering around with dark, sunken eyes, resting in my arms when seizures had sapped all strength from your body, teetering on the brink of death and eternity.

As you began to walk out the door today, I noticed your hair was wild again- Didn't I just brush it two minutes ago? Have you been wrestling with someone already this morning? You wiggled through the second brushing of the morning, and as I fixed your piggy-tail, I gave the right side of your head one extra gentle touch. Though your scar is not easily visible, it is something I see and feel often in my heart. It reminds me of the label you wear in my mind that reads: Prognosis = Uncertain.

I will always be tempted to over-protect you, my fragile child. It is hard to let you go, to accept that you are moving on to a new stage of independence. Part of me wants to always be your gardener, to stay with you in our safe little greenhouse, tending to you and soaking up the sunshine with you every day. But that is not my job, nor it is what you need on this day. You are blooming, not withering, and you are strong enough to go out into the elements.

My beautiful flower, your warm, safe greenhouse will be waiting for you when school is over. Mommy will keep the boys from your teddy-bear blanket and your buddies, just like you asked. I will have the chocolate milk ready and waiting when you burst through the doors this afternoon. God will be with you my dear, just as He always has been. Rejoice and blossom!

I know she's yours, Lord.... please take her into your hands as she skips off to school today. Protect this beautiful flower from the elements; let nothing take her joy away. I know you love her more than I do Lord, and You have promised to be with her always. Protect her from sin and evil. Bless her with caring teachers who are wise in Your Word, with friends who love You, with all that she needs to walk in this world. Thank you for the promises that you have given her, and me, that You will be with us through this valley and someday take us home to be with you in eternity. It is a comfort as I learn to release dear Aggie. She is not going far; only into Your loving hands. Amen.