Change is almost always good. And it is often hard. I consider myself to be a somewhat easy going, even spontaneous, kind of person. But I swear my new routine is killing me! I have not set an alarm clock in years, not unless we were heading on a fabulous vacation and had to catch an early flight. When our alarm went off at 6:15 last Monday morning, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Nevertheless, an hour later Sydney was dressed for her first day of Kindergarten, thanks to Mark. And I was dressed for my first day of work. We got to Syd's school on time where we threaded our way through a sea of video camera-carrying dads and teary moms in the kindergarten hallway. She was very brave as we kissed her goodbye, then left her in a room full of small strangers. Mark went on to the "Boo Hoo Breakfast" for the parents of Kindergartners and I hustled across town to the School Board for my orientation.
After two hours of being spoken "down" to (the speaker addressed us as if we were an audience of 1st graders!), I was released to return to the school and start my job. It could not have been a better first day. People went out of their way to introduce themselves to me and make me feel welcome. The office worker that I was for 15 years slowly started to awaken. I found myself falling easily back into the camaraderie that comes from working together. I was briefed on who's who and who doesn't get along with who and most importantly, what we do for lunch.
On the days that I didn't work at the school, I learned the rules of drop off and pick up. It is a well-choreographed operation that takes place every morning and afternoon with buses, cars, hangtags and walkie talkies. I just followed the car in front of me and did whatever they did and hoped they weren't a Kindergarten parent too! By Thursday night, when I laid out our clothes and made our lunches I was truly feeling like I was getting the hang of this new life. "I can do this," I thought to myself.
And then the alarm went off at 6:15 Friday morning - with no consideration for the long night we had, no consideration for the dog who was sick all night or Sydney who kept getting in bed with us or Mark who finally gave up and watched TV in the middle of the night. I just had to chuckle and realize that it may take some time to adjust to this significantly changed schedule.
So I find myself very tired lately. Very tired, but thankful.
