Do you remember your first day of school? The “first” of anything is a life-affirming experience. I could sit here and create a list of “firsts” that would fill several pages. The challenge of creating such a list is that the reader, while perusing the list, would try to remember those “firsts” and might stall reading the rest of this post! So, I won’t create a list of “firsts.” Instead, I’ll pick just one.
The First Day of School
The above is a picture of one of my great-nieces, Princess Sweetie Pie, at her new school – her first day of school. She’s two and a half. And, while this was an extremely important day in her young life, chances are that she will not remember it.
But, her mother will.
Her mother will remember feeling her own apprehension that her child will feel fear, trepidation or anxiety about leaving her mother for those few hours on her very first day of school, ever. The mother instinct is strong and unparalleled in the range of human emotions. While I have not ever experienced these feelings from a mother perspective, because I don’t have children, I can speak to these feelings as an aunt and great-aunt of many, who loves her nieces and nephews dearly and wants only the best of everything for all of them.
Fierce and Undeniable Love
One of my nephews, Kyle, became an uncle at a relatively young age – 13. As a young uncle, he has always been actively involved in his nephew’s life. When Kyle was around 16 or 17, he was visiting me and we were doing something together, just the two of us. I don’t remember what it was and that isn’t important. What is important is that during one particular conversation, Kyle told me that his love for his nephew was fierce and undeniable.
This surprised him – that he would love another human being so strongly. I said to him, “Now you know how I feel about you and my other nieces and nephews. Now, take that emotion and multiply it by 100 times and you’ll understand how much your mother loves you.” His eyes reflected that “aha” moment when any of us “gets” something for the first time. Now he understood.
Fierce and undeniable - a mother's love. Do you understand how much your mother loves you? #motherlove Click To Tweet
The Second Day of School
The picture below is Princess Sweetie Pie off to school on her second day. As a woman, maybe even a mother, can you feel the emotion behind the lens? The person taking the picture, Tiffany – her mother, is trying her best to stay strong as she realizes her baby isn’t a baby anymore, but has just completed a rite of passage, one of the first of many steps towards adulthood. Can you feel her mother’s emotion as she says what we all say at one time or another, “Where did the time go? My baby is so grown up!”
Princess Sweetie Pie’s mother will also remember feeling so very proud of her daughter when she picked her up from school and found her daughter excited, happy and ready for another day.
Here’s to many “firsts”…
In honor of this auspicious occasion and many “firsts”, I’ve created a few FREE Dr. Seuss printables for you to share, print and frame. What is better than Dr. Seuss sharing his wisdom?
First Day of School – Dr. Seuss Quotes
Click here to upload and print this FREE printable: Great Places – Dr_ Seuss quote.
Click here to upload and print this FREE printable: Youer Than You – Dr_ Seuss quote.
Click here to upload and print this FREE printable: Oh the Thinks – Dr_ Seuss quote.
Do you need more Dr. Seuss inspiration for the first day of school? I’ve curated books, toys, artwork, clothing, etc. (this post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.):
Dr. Seuss books || Dr. Seuss toys || Dr. Seuss artwork || Dr. Seuss clothing || Dr. Seuss kitchen
Tootles,
Other Posts from Toot Sweet 4 Two’s Archives:
Joy: A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words
How to Create a Magical Miniature Fairy Garden
You might also like:
Dr. Seuss on Pinterest
40+ Seuss Crafts in 15 Minutes of Less from Angie at The Country Chic Cottage
How to Pack a School Lunch by Krista at While He Was Napping
Love, love, love this story. So many profound insights. You are a very good writer. thanks!
Thanks, Dawn. As the mother of 3, I’m sure you had many, many firsts (some heart-wrenching) and I know you remember them all!
Actually, my memory s–ks..LOL. Just call me Peggy Junior. But I do remember the highlights of my life fairly clearly.
Well, at times, mine’s not so good either! So, obviously, my conversation with Kyle that day was a highlight! Love that boy! Oops, I mean man!