One Week

A few weeks ago Matty and I watched the ridiculous movie - maybe some of you have seen it?-  The Men Who Stare at Goats.  Despite its mildly amusing commentary and awesome (as per usual) performances by George Clooney and Jeff Bridges, it is definitely a movie I will soon forget. 

But one thing that has stuck in my mind was a line from George Clooney's character concerning destiny.  I can't remember it verbatim, but here is a paraphrase:  Each person is born with his or her destiny laid out before them.  Throughout their life, if they move toward a destiny that is not their own, it is akin to a fish swimming upstream.  However, if they move in the direction of their destiny, the current will carry them.

(And isn't that the job of comedy?  To speak the truth?)

Well, apparently all of us here in our world are moving in the right direction, because despite my ambivalence about summer ending, Emerson starting full days of school and gymnastics on the same day, me picking up an extra shift at work, and not having a babysitter to speak of, we are somehow all peacefully swimming along.

 And this is what a first grader looks like!

 

BIG!

Small, scared...

And BIG again! (What I love about this age... big, but still so little...)

Emerson entered the first grade with courage and grace, and was welcomed into the grade school at the traditional Wildflower Ceremony.  (Each first grader is assigned an eighth grade and twelfth grade "buddy" who they spend a lot of time with throughout the year.  Their "buddies" introduce them to the rest of the school by giving each child a wildflower.)   Because Waldorf schools don't begin academics until first grade, it is a big leap for Emerson to transition from half-days of play, play and more play to full-days of Reading, Writing, French, German, Math... but although she spent the first few days like a deer in headlights, she has moved right into her new role and is inhabiting it happily.  It is amazing to me how much she is thriving...how she was so ready for more! (And from what I gather, she still has plenty of time to play...)

 

And it isn't just Emerson who is clicking along.  All of us, it seems, are where we are supposed to be.  Ophelia is napping in the afternoons instead of being dragged around in a car.  I am writing this blog at 2pm, not 2am.  (And I will still have time to prepare dinner before we have to go get Emerson at school)  I have been spending time with my husband in the evenings, going to bed at a reasonable hour, and the very best part...

 

And soon I will be going off to school myself! (And starting a new blog... the inaugural post of which will appear here!)  Life is feeling really good at this moment.  Really right.