The List

It's one of the most anticipated events of the summer. We wait and wait and try to be patient. We moms question each other why it hasn't happened yet. We begin to stalk the school, driving and walking by even when it's well out of our way.  Then, finally, it's there. We see it! The white paper with typed names posted on the school door. The class list is out! Moms, dads and kids alike rush to read the list. And then everyone walks away, some with smiles on their faces while others with tears in their eyes.

I was one of those with tears in my eyes as I looked at the class list. Faith did not get the first-grade teacher I was hoping she would get. She did not get into the same classroom as one of her best friends. And she will only know a few little girls in her class. BUMMER!

I felt a little better after talking to one of my good friends. Her son had the teacher that Faith will have this fall. She said she believes Faith will do well with her. I had been hoping Faith had gotten another teacher whom she has gotten to know through summer school, but that won't be the case. Hopefully, her instructional aide will remain the same as last year, at least for part of the day. Faith needs that familiarity to feel comfortable. And at least she will have all of the same therapists and special education instructor. That is a relief as well.

But still. I think parents always want their kids to be in the same classroom as their kids' friends. It just helps them to not feel so insecure and isolated. I remember being in elementary school always wanting to be in the same room as my best friend. Sometimes it turned out that way, other times it did not. And when it didn't, I just made new friends. And that's what I have to hope for Faith. She will make new friends. She will meet other little girls and boys who will want to give her a helping hand. I trust God for that to happen.

I know there is nothing I can do to change what is on The List. Now I can only hope and pray that everything will work out. After all, God knows what is going on more than I do, and I need to believe He has placed Faith where she needs to be. It's just a little disappointing when things don't turn out the way you hoped they would. But hey, that's life. I know in the future there will be other disappointments, but I believe the times of joy, especially with Faith, will outweigh all the disappointing ones.