Josiah's 1st day

Well, the last of the 3 started school today. Friday, I sent my baby to his first day of Kindergarten. Today, I sent another "baby" to his first day of high school. He was trying to be so cool about it but I know he was excited. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depends on how you look at it. lol), he had his close buddy going to the same school. Most of his other friends are going to a variety of high schools around the area. That's how it works when you live on Post. You "apply" to the school you want to go to or you just go to the default school, which is not a very popular choice since it's considered to be in the ghetto.

Yesterday, I took him and his friends to the mall for school clothes shopping. That was interesting. :-) But he got some good bargains of brands that he likes and things that coordinate with what he already has, so it was considered a success. I didn't do any back-to-school shopping with my other kids because money is tight. Besides, they had newish enough clothes and they don't really care. Josiah is going into high school and things matter a little more (unfortunately). His dad should be sending a check this week, so I'll apply that money to the charges.

I cried a little when I dropped him off. High school is a whole different animal. I know I'm going to pray a lot for my son in the next couple of years, more than usual. I prayed today that at each juncture, he'll make the right choices; that when faced with temptation, he'll take the high road. I want him to have fun, but I want him to be safe and to not do anything stupid that will handicap his future. Dropping him off felt like the first stage or step of letting him go and preparing for the day that he permanently moves away from living with us. I dread that day. It's a rite of passage that is necessary and painful at the same time. I know parents who count down the years to when their child is 18 and leaves home. Not me. I enjoy Josiah's company. Home won't feel complete without him. I don't want him to leave before he is ready. I hope that when the time comes that we've taught him the life skills he'll need to survive and succeed.