nekominimode

Yesterday was a big day for a lot of families all over this country.

Brooklyn sidewalks were filled with nervous parents (I can tell) and their sweet children, carrying backpacks and (sporting new outfits) walking to school, all for the first time.  Neko’s first day at Open House (yes, it’s the one right next to the Meth clinic - so don’t confuse the entrance) was probably just like a lot of other children’s.

But for me, it was a day filled with so many conflicting feelings.

As we turned the corner, neko leaped off Peter’s shoulder’s and ran into the building, yelling we’re heeeeerrrreee.

She was excited, happy and giddy. She begged to take her shoes off (she knows what’s right) and wasn’t shy or nervous.  She seemed to fit right in: no looking back, no clinging.  She felt comfortable. She is ready.

I stood aside and watched her with a mounting feeling of naches, of overflowing love and pride mixed in with some bittersweet sadness (yes, the itsy bitsy spider song made me get teary eyed).

In the words of someone whose writing skills are way better than my immigrant english prose:  I looked on at the yellow classroom, filled with these little dudes (and some crushed cheerios) and thought, yeah, we are on our way to achieving the goal of all parents — to make ourselves unnecessary!