Dear Little Me,
Today is the big day. It's finally time to stop hiding in the shadows. After years of riding through the drop off line and never getting out, watching your brother walk through those doors, those days are gone. The days of yearning to walk in the school with him, it's finally your time to shine.
Mom comes back and wakes you up. You pull off your BRATZ comforter and head straight for the clothes she has set out for you for school. You quickly put them on. The butterflies in your stomach are swarming. It's time for breakfast, but you're too nervous to eat many frosted flakes. Daddy has gone to work but gave you the biggest hug and kiss last night and told you to have fun. You remember the warm feeling he gave you and you brighten up a little bit. Although, you just can't shake the nervousness. Finally, it's time to get in the car. Mom straps you in and Tucker gets in the front seat.
. . .
Don't grow up so fast.
Everyday you're gonna wish you had something more. Don't get caught up in the wishing for something bigger and better, you'll get there in time. Enjoy where you're at.
Have fun.
Stop worrying about your grades, you'll get it done. Have fun, run the mile as fast as your little legs will let you, go across the monkey bars and fall down a few times, scrape your knees, play kickball, do all the things you want at recess. Never walk back into the class room with any regrets.
Take your naps.
Nap time is crucial. You don't want to sleep, but you have to. You'll need the rest one day, and you'll be glad you did it. Don't worry, everyone else is sleeping you won't miss a thing.
Don't freak out when you pull your first card.
Talking in class is something everyone does. It's okay to pull a card once or twice, as long as it's not a normal thing. Mom and dad will not take away your teddy bear. I can guarantee you are not a bad kid for whispering to your friend Macy once or twice.
Don't be scared of dogs.
Puppies are one of God's biggest blessings to this earth, you just don't know it yet. Hug a dog and let them lick you, I promise you'll love it.
Don't be shy.
Sit in a different circle every day on the carpet for reading time. Don't limit yourself to just one friend and one yellow circle on the carpet. Mix it up and make new friends, it's easier when you're little.
Don't keep the quiet stick up longer than you have to.
It's okay to be quiet every now and then when asked. But when you're not required to hold your quiet stick, talk to people, make connections, laugh, have fun.
Get lost.
Leaving the kindergarten hall was unheard of, but when you're brother is older, it's what you have to do sometimes. Get lost in the lass, find your way. You will learn your way around, be independent. If you don't find your way, find a teacher and you'll learn from them.
Don't let the big kids push you down.
Just because someone is bigger or older than you are doesn't make them superior. You hold your ground. Just because you're small, doesn't mean you're less, and you never will be less.
Lastly, soak it all in.
Stages in your life will come and go. You are just now starting, you have your whole life ahead of you. You're just in kindergarten, don't hope to go upstairs yet, enjoy the first floor. When you get to go upstairs, don't wish for middle school. It will come. Don't wish for high school, it will come. Enjoy every moment. Breath in the air and smell the smells of the blocks and the playground. Remember every story your teacher reads you. Take every nap. Dream every dream. Do everything that life offers you. And don't freak out if your new tennis shoes get dirt on them, that just means you did recess right.
. . .
So little me, enjoy everything. Have fun. Also, don't let the bad days get you down. Better days are coming and so are hard ones. It's how you handle the hard ones that make you who you are. Life is taking off at this very moment on the first day of school. Don't let it go by too fast, and regret nothing. I can guarantee you are going to turn out alright.
Sincerely,
Older Me
