More than just the ABC's

Summer has arrived and we're off to a fantastic start.  The weather has been incredible, my boys have been playing hard and we have enjoyed good company, food, relaxation and movies.  And we're only a few days into everything.  Everyone in my house is excited fort sun-kissed skin, long bike rides and fun activities, especially involving water (swimming, sprinklers, making puddles, playing in the rain, etc.).

During some of the much needed space from a rigorous schedule, it dawned on me that Isaiah, my 5-year old, experienced a lot in his first year of public school education.  There were many things that I expected him to learn in school, however, there were also some important things that never crossed my mind before this year.

Isaiah was in a class with 12 other students.  At Jacob's Ladder the class sizes are limited.  We didn't chose Jacob's Ladder because of this, though.  Our second son, Micaiah, was two doors down twice a week at preschool.  It was always joyful when I strolled into the hallway and had two kids running towards me from opposite directions.  It gave each of them a little extra comfort knowing their best friend was just down the hall.  We also developed important family connections and built friendships with parents who are in the exact same place as we are raising kids.  We're thankful for these friends because lot happened over those 9-months.

Our 4K-ers learned about letters and farm animals, how to spell their name and to share their favorite things - all in accordance with expectations and standards.  These precious children also learned about compassion, loss, grieving and what it means to be there for someone.  They gained a deeper understanding of family and love.  They knew how to be silly while understanding the importance of a hug.  The art projects became a sort of catharsis. When all was said and done, this class experienced grandparents passing away, the loss of one student's father to cancer, another father being deployed, divorce uprooting families and it happened during one of the worst winters on record.  They were literally stuck inside a 400-square foot space forced to work through the emotions that came with confusion, pain and struggle.  How was I to know that one year of school could teach our kids so much?  No wonder they all chose to pile into the elevator together after class each day.  That closeness became their reality.  No wonder Isaiah had moments when he melted down seconds after leaving our side.

Each mom and dad made time to hug their bambino before and after school each day a little longer than usual.  Students hugged each other during class, in the hallway and at the grocery store.  Some families were hit much harder than others, and I would never minimize that, however, in a sense we were all in this together because the kids were all in it together.  They stepped up for one another whether someone had a runny nose or was hurting badly after a tragedy.  They learned together and they started growing up together.

After Year One with kids in school, I realize how naive I am.  I can prepare my family for most of the things we see coming.  I can even lay a strong foundation that will help us deal with some of the things no one ever sees coming.  You never know what life is going to bring you, though, so you have to be ready for everything, even when some of those things are things no one should ever have to deal with.  It seems as if it might be a little more manageable as part of a community.