Today, my fifth grader went to middle school. Justine is spending the day at Eagle middle with Joey. She will spend part of the day in the Extended resource rooms and the rest in the 7th grade classes Joey attends. She is so jacked! She carefully picked out her clothes and did her hair. Borrowed my silver hoop earings, used hair spray, and put my best lip gloss in her pocket. She has really wanted to do this because she doesn't like Joe being in different school, where she doesn't know what he's doing and how people are treating him. Before we moved, she was always very involved in his days. She knew all his staff very well. She loved being helpful and felt very grown up when the adults needed her help. She still gets a little of that by helping teach preschool at church, and last year by helping a boy in her class with Asbergers. But this will give her a sense of what Joe is experiencing while he is away from her. Much like her momma. Concern or control issues?
There is a hidden issue here. Justine is attending a science and math magnet school K-8th. It is smaller and there are no middle school sports programs. She has been thinking that she wants to go to regular middle school for cheer leading and a larger social population. Eagle middle is the largest in the state. I am hoping this experience freaks her out. The crowded halls, the large classes. I actually want her to be intimidated by all the older kids and see that going there as a 6th grader, would be a tiny fish in a huge pond experience. Girls in middle school can be nasty, so the more girls, the more nasty. The middle school teachers Robby has in their school are really caring and the small environment is supportive. Hard choices.
I won't worry too much. She manages to thrive everywhere. She belongs to the Lord, and He has made evident to us when changes need to be made in the lives of our kids. We will make any sacrifice to do is will in their lives. They can't just raise themselves. It is incredible to watch their growth.
I sat with one of the other moms from ballet yesterday, and we were both stuck watching our girls. They have come to the point of no longer being cute when they dance. They are beautiful. The gracefull movements they have now are amazing. It's like moving art. They are on the verge of becoming women. They look serious but there is a beauty in their movements that I can only describe as worship. God created these beautiful little creatures to please Himself! What must he think as he watches them? It brings me to tears to see them dance, I'm not kidding. I know that God's angels must dance along.
This last week at Jr. Church we were talking about going through hard times in our life and how we need to keep going because there is a reason for it. Justine shared that its hard for her to not be around Joey because she protects him and she doesn't want anyone to make fun of him.
ReplyDeleteI am always touched by your daughter's compassion!