Alarms were set,clothes were laid out...lunch's were made and back packs were ready to go...
the first day of school...boys are tired and wanting to sleep... I, on the other hand, can't get them out the door fast enough!! "YEA!!! The first day of school!!!"...I've been waiting ALL summer for this!!!!
the first day of school...boys are tired and wanting to sleep... I, on the other hand, can't get them out the door fast enough!! "YEA!!! The first day of school!!!"...I've been waiting ALL summer for this!!!!
4th Grade
6th Grade
8th Grade
AND THEN DISASTER HIT...
This was my sweet O...minutes before school started...1st grade...a BIG deal...for him and ME...
We got up to get into the line and I spotted a friend who was lost and in desperate need of help. He couldn't remember what his teacher's name was or what room. I quickly put O in his line and told him I would be in his class in just a few minutes. I needed to help our friend find his way. O was totally fine with me going and so off we went. I took this young friend and we headed to the class he told me he thought it was....NOPE, so we went next door...NOPE...on our third attempt we struck gold and we got all settled in. Back pack emptied and supplies handed to the teacher. Pencil box out and in the desk...and a picture to boot to send to mom and dad. Everything was good so off I went to see my boys. I went to Owens class first, he was not there...his desk was the only empty one...my heart sank. I asked the teacher, "Where is Owen?"..."I don't know, he was just here." Panic hit and tears flowed. My son was lost and I wasn't there... Now, I know he wasn't LOST...more misplaced, but the panic and heartache was still the same...I had been with him just seconds before. I put him in the correct line and introduced him to the teacher before I left so he wouldn't get lost. He was no where to be found. I ran back out side...there with red eyes and a look I will now never forget was my 1st grader. Waiting, looking, searching for someone, anyone to help him...Why? Why didn't anyone come to his aide? I saw a lost child, waiting, looking, searching for help...as a mother, as a friend, my heart went out to him and helped all I could to make this day a special non-scary day...Why had no one done the same for my son?
I saw him...looking around, trying to remember what I had told him if he ever couldn't find his way...he remembered. We reconnected, hugged, wiped away tears and got settled. "I waited for you Mom", "I know you did...you did a great job and I told you I would come back. "...is he scared? Hope not...I on the other hand will never forget today...What is usually the Best Day of my Life, turned out to be a lesson in love.
I couldn't help be think of the Savior. How may of His sheep are lost? How often do I stop and help another on my way? How sad some of those sheep must be as they are waiting, looking and searching for the light. How must Heavenly Father feel as He has sent his children off...giving them the directions and guidance they need to be safe and then seeing that they, some how, have gotten off the path. The heart ache, the pain He must feel to know He can't be there all the time, but praying that they will remember Him and seek His council.
Today, though sad that I was not there for my own son right away...I know that he knew that I would return. I know he knew that if he followed the council I gave him, we would reconnect. We did...I can't help but think that my Father in Heaven feels the same way about me, about ALL His sheep. At times I too get separated, lost, looking, waiting, searching for guidance. It isn't until I seek His help that I find myself in His care.
Today IS the Best Day...a day that I will remember. Maybe not so much for the reasons I used to, or thought I would, but for the one lost sheep I was able to help....and for the FOUR sheep of my own who I guess I really couldn't ever live without!!!!
