It hit me last night that four days away was asking alot. We've known about the farm trip since September. In most Waldorf schools, third grade children culminate their year long curriculum of gardening, cooking, construction, textiles and agriculture with an overnight stay at a farm. So, here we are. The culmination of third grade and today, the farm awaits them. They will work hard. Mucking the barns and repairing fences are only two items listed on their farm stay to do list. That will tire them out, help them sleep well. But, but is James ready for this? Yesterday, I packed his bags. I silently debated, should I put all the socks in one place and the underwear in another? Or should I pack complete outfits together so it will be easier for him to find clean clothes each day? Will he wear the extra fleece I sent? Which sneakers are easiest to tie? Does he know how to operate this Thermarest? What if he lets the air out, and sleeps on the hard ground for three nights? And then of course, I know if there's an accident to happen, it will happen to James.
After he was all packed and fast asleep, I called my close friend whom is one of the six chaperones on the trip. She reassured me she would keep a close eye on James and then we all went to bed, a little uneasy. I had memories of James' first days of Kindergarten wheeling through my head, the panicked grip of my little boy not wanting to leave us. Would it happen again? Would he be able to get in the car and say goodbye to me? When I woke up, I knew all that was left was a good breakfast, at least one stomach ache for each of us and my kiss goodbye.
I'm back home now. Peter's napping and my big boy is on his way to the farm. When we arrived at school for the send off, he ran to his friends. He briefly came back to me to give a quick goodbye and that was it. He did it.
Regardless of whatever the rest of the week holds for him, I am proud of him this morning. He was able to leave me, sad, scary and exciting as it is, and step out into the world on his own two feet.
