This morning, Paul and I dropped Will off for his Alliance France summer camp, the first step in his transition to Kindergarten, which happens the day after Labor Day.
Which means that last Friday was his last day at Abeona.
While we were in Peru, Emmy took Will and the other kids moving to ‘big school’ to lunch at the sushi place across the street from the school, Ninja. She kindly sent us an email about how great the kids were at lunch at how much they enjoyed it; Will tells us regularly how much he loves “shush-she.” A few days later, the school had a ceremony for the kids graduating from pre-school, but Will wasn’t there. So on Friday, the school held another little ceremony for Will.
First, the twos and preschoolers lined up with flowers and streamers waving. Then, they sang “You are my Sunshine” (note: one of the teachers, a professional musician/singer, would sing this to the kids at naptime and I forever hear her voice in this song). Then Will and Emmy came hand and hand down the ramp (yup, that ramp that Paul mobilized in construction). At the end, she read a certificate written just for Will about his special talents — all the ones that she has so lovingly taught us to see and appreciate beyond what we would have otherwise seen — and gave Will a huge hug. 
But it didn’t end there. As if I, the woman who cried at the end of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (they were so patriotic at the end) and, more recently, over Herbie: Fully Loaded (Dad, seriously, let her race!) and don’t even get me started on how weepy I get over Oreo commericals!.. as if I need more reason to cry over such a simple and sweet sentiment. Emmy then whips out a certificate for me — me?! — to thank me for ‘having shared and captured so many ordinary and extraordinary moments through your photographs’. Totally caught me off guard.
Paul and I are still at odds with all the changes this summer. Our family at school has been the source of so much strength and goodness through these difficult few years. It feels like something very special is ending and will never be the same again; the whole world changing with the growth of our children and shifting of our lives.
Emmy | 17-Jun-08 at 7:00 am | Permalink
You’re too humble to post it yourself, but it’s true, Holly.
Because you were there for so many events, parents with more conventional schedules were able to vicariously share in their children’s days and special events. That’s an amazing gift to give a whole school community, and frankly, I doubt anyone else will give what you have to us. You and your beautiful family will be missed by so many.
Julie S | 17-Jun-08 at 10:57 am | Permalink
I knew we loved Emmy, but good golly! I’m sniffling here Chicago. 🙂
Emmy | 18-Jun-08 at 4:40 pm | Permalink
PS: Ana’s new “imaginary friend” is Will. They played together all day today.
Cold Spaghetti | 18-Jun-08 at 5:17 pm | Permalink
Umg.
You should have seen the hug she gave him when he walked up the ramp this afternoon… then the other kids jumped up and ran up behind her to follow suit. Hello, Heartbreak?
Emmy | 18-Jun-08 at 8:17 pm | Permalink
He’s so loveable, he’ll be received that way wherever he goes!
Onto the next big adventure, my little buddy.(-;