Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: First Day of School (06/28/04)
TITLE: School of Motherhood By Amber Forbis 06/30/04 |
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
I remember my first day in one such school, the “School of Motherhood.” Like many prospective students of this school I was very naive. I came with very high ideals; I had read all the information on the courses, talked to students who had graduated this school and those that were still enrolled. When they warned me that it was not an easy school I thought to myself, “sure maybe for you it‘s not, but I have it all planned out. I know I will ace every test and graduate with honors.” Ha!
When the first day came, and my son arrived it suddenly hit me how little prepared I was. I KNEW I should have at least taken a baby sitting class when I was in the School of Adolescence! But here I was and there was no backing out now, so I determined to study harder than anyone else and at least be a decent student.
Little did I know that sickness would take me out of classes for almost a month. When I finally regained health I had a lot of catching up to do. But I thank the Lord that I had a patient teacher, my mother. She was there for me and my son for most of that first month; I remember her instructions...
“Wipe him like this...”
“Hold his head this way...”
“Don’t give him that...”
“NO! Not that way!”
There was also a lot of encouragement and support. About two months into classes my son decided he didn’t want to follow my carefully laid plans. My only option was to try something that I thought was “not good enough”, Mom was there to help me see that he would be all right, even though he couldn’t have the “best” something that was “good” was still okay.
And the first trip to the emergency room, when I was sure I was going to fail at this school, she was there to hold my hand and tell me that it wasn’t my fault. She let me know that the true test was if I could hold myself together, I am proud to say that I passed that test.
I have learned in the year that I have been enrolled in this school that things will not always go as planned. Life in this school is full of pop quizzes and tests, and the biggest part of these tests is not falling apart when one comes along. I still seek the advice of those who have gone on before me, and now I listen, really listen. And I know that if I pay attention and put a lot of love into my studies I will make it to graduation day.
This is dedicated to my son Joshua; his first birthday was Monday, June 28!