Ignacio graduated preschool last Thursday. His last week of school was filled with mixed emotions for all and the drive in the morning usually involved rambling talks about the sadness and the joy involved in the upcoming transition. What a lesson to learn at 5 years old; the joys and sorrows of life. Ignacio is a kid who can easily express his thoughts and feelings and so it wasn't surprising to hear him talk about his grief at "not seeing my teacher anymore" or " missing my friends." Rather than try to have him focus on the excitement of kindergarten I just let it be. I hate it when people try to change my feelings. Every day my hugs with the other moms were a little longer and our gazes at our kids playing lasted a little longer. We felt like we were graduating too.
The day of his ceremony was filled with anticipation. I ironed his clothes and he requested his white undershirt for the occasion. As I folded his collar down I imagined all the times over his lifetime I would do the same thing...high school graduation, dances, his wedding. Angel shined his little black dress shoes and we were out the door. Ignacio got very quiet and introspective on the way there. He looked adorable...so tall and handsome...yet so little and vulnerable. Much the way he did the first time I dropped him off.
His ceremony involved songs the kids sang and then calling his name to present his diploma. I screamed and clapped and took pictures and cried and laughed and hugged and smiled. I turned into a babbling buffoon as I hugged the teachers and launched into a convoluted speech about my gratitude at their assistance at molding my son into a beautiful little boy.
And so begins the summer. Ignacio is excited about being home with us but, at his core is an extrovert. We will be out hitting the parks and getting together with his little friends to feed that part of him that requires stimulation. I, of course, will be waddling behind as I near closer to bringing the next member of our family into the world. Angel Ignacio is a wonderful boy. He is bright, sensitive, caring, intuitive, expressive, kind, conscious and daring. He is the best of everything I know and he became it in a blink of an eye.
