Hope for Baby Bennett: The Graduate

Saturday, June 2, 2012

The Graduate

Sweet baby girl, it seems crazy to say it, but you are officially a preschool graduate. Oh I know it's not as big a milestone as graduating from highschool or from college. But it is a big deal to your daddy and me. We can remember when you started at DRCCC, a tiny 4-month old baby girl. The pre-kindergarteners graduating that year seemed light years older than you, a different generation, really. They (now moving from 4th to 5th grade) still do. And here you are, now a graduate! Along the way, you've learned so much, changed so much. You've had a hospital stay, moved into a new house, learned to walk and talk, been to Florida once and Lake Tahoe twice, saw Daddy get a new job, got a baby brother and supported and loved him through everything he went through. And through it all, you have turned into such a sweet, kind, nurturing little girl who LOVES babies (both real and play) and nurturing others.

We had so much fun celebrating you today, and watching you with all of your classmates. Your graduation was so much fun. We are so grateful to your teachers, most especially

Teacher Nancy, the most incredible and loving pre-k teacher anyone could ask for.

Teacher Debbie, who taught you your ABC's and who will always hold a special place in our hearts.

And last, but never least, Teacher Judith, your precious Juju. You were so lucky to have Juju as your teacher not just for your 2 years in the nursery, but then a 3rd year in the Duckie class. Juju "graduated" to the Duckie class 2 weeks before you did, making your transition so easy and special. We will never forget the love Juju has shown you and the special connection you have shared. She loved you through one of the most difficult times in your life to date. Leaving you in her hands, we always felt as though we were leaving you with one of the few people on the planet who loved you as much as we do.

We loved reading the special sign your teachers made you, where every single one wrote you a special message. We will cherish it forever. What an amazingly thoughtful gift!

We giggled watching you dance to your favorite song, the "Tooty Tot" with all of your best friends. You're so silly!

My favorite part by far of the entire ceremony was the video, which included baby pictures of you and all of your friends and pictures of each of you during your time at school. Since you had been there since you were so young, your school pictures even had baby pictures (I had forgotten all about your "cute, fat bald stage" (which lasted until you were 2 or so)!!!). And the video included an interview with each child. Your answers were absolutely priceless.

What did you learn in pre-k?

No hitting.

(Yep, everyone laughed at this one!)

What are you most looking forward to in kindergarten?

Having a picnic next week with my new kindergarten friends.

(True - we're going to the all-school picnic at her new school next week.)

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A mommy.

(Sierra, this has always been, without fail, your answer to this question. It warms my heart to heart it. I hope and pray this is always your wish!)

What are you most grateful to God for?

My little baby brother.

(You melted your mama's heart here!)

Congratulations sweetheart! We are so proud of you and LOVE YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH.

Love,

Mommy, Daddy & Bodie

1 comment:

Doug BlairJune 5, 2012 at 7:03 AM
What a great family picture with the Gerrishs and the Bennetts! Congrats to your little Graduate! Too cute.
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The Chosen Mothers by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you." No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps -"Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them." She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."