my little jackson.
tomorrow you start school at RISE.
some days i laugh because i’m so excited about all you will learn, and others i cry because i know i will miss you something fierce.
i have so many things i want to tell you and explain to you, but you are still too little to understand. maybe, one day, we can look back at them together, if you get curious why we started you so young.
your daddy and i have been on our knees in prayer that this is the right decision for us (you!) and we really feel like the RISE school is God’s perfect place for you.
i am hopeful that . . .
you will meet some of your first friends at RISE
you will be challenged in ways i cannot challenge you
you will learn how to interact with other kids
you will be taught that entire other worlds exists besides our home
you will gain experiences apart from me that will inspire confidence in you
you will experience therapies each week (speech, OT and music) that will spur your fine and gross motor skills
you will feel LOVED exactly as you are!
you will find rest when you come back at home to me
you will be taught things i would have never thought to teach you
you will flourish in an environment created especially for you
i am fearful that . . .
you will miss me terribly and won’t be able to understand why i have left you in such a strange place
you will think i don’t love you or want to be with you all day
you will be jealous of my time with madelyn
you will wonder if i chose to put you in school so i could work
you will have long lasting (attachment) effects from my not being with you all day every day at such a young age
you will be overwhelmed with all the stimulation and activity
you can’t communicate about how your day was
you won’t flourish in this environment and it will be a setback somehow
however, i am trusting the Lord to fill in the gaps where my faith is weak.
the things i know for sure . . .
you could not be MORE loved by us, our family and our friends
you have the sweetest demeanor of anyone i’ve ever met
your smile lights up a room and makes my heart swell with pride
your wild man hair is simply irrisistable
your love of music probably means you are going to inspire the world with your undiscovered talent
you are capable of incredible things
you constantly surprise me with your wit
your curious nature will likely get you in trouble in the coming months
you love to learn
you have a genuine love for others
for the past 18 months, i have not only been your mother, i’ve been your advocate. your encourager. your occupational therapist. your speech therapist. your teacher. your nurse. your facilitator. your music teacher. your challenger. your helper.
what i am excited about for ME about you going to the RISE school is that it will allow me to step back and just be your mommy.
of course, i will still do any and everything to continue to set you up for success in every way i know how, but i can take a deep breath and just be your mommy!
we can read books! make play dough! draw pictures on your bedroom (chalkboard) walls! roll around in the grass! go to museums! be silly with your sister! take coffee to your daddy at work! make forts in the living room! ohhh the things we will do together.
jackson, we are on an adventure, you and me. a lifelong adventure. and it’s just the beginning . . .
