Kindergarten

Her day to register for Kindergarten was Wednesday.
She was very excited, once she found out she wasn't going to get shots on that day.
I didn't feel it was necessary to explain that she would eventually need those shots before school begins in the fall, we will just cross that bridge when it happens. As we explored each room, checking out the toys and meeting each teacher I found myself wondering at how quickly time passes, it truly doesn't seem possible that she is old enough to begin school this fall. That little baby is forever etched in my mind and my heart, and I wondered if I was ready to let her go. As I listened to her confidently spell her name for her name tag, giving the teacher a shy smile, and explore each room with curiosity it occurred to me that to the people she was meeting she was simply a typical 4 almost 5 year old about to embark on one of the greatest adventures of her life. They had no idea the adventures her life had already held, how she simply wasn't suppose to be here in this place, how typical could certainly not describe her early years. For a brief moment the mom in me wanted to say to her future teacher, "She is special, she is amazing, she is a miracle" I didn't of course, instead I understood that to every mom her child is each of those things. As I watched her explore another room, venturing away from me, pausing occasionally to glance back to see that I was indeed still there I saw what an amazing gift this was. The fact that she is viewed as normal, the fact that no one knows her history. Where she is simply Yahaira. Not Yahaira the shaken baby, or the child with special needs, or the child in foster care. I can't think of a better start to her career in school than to be viewed as a typical, little 5 year old. She is ready, so very ready to begin this next part of her journey, and I am ready to watch her show those who will teach her just how special, and amazing she is.