Dec 17 2008
Dealing with Endings and New Beginnings
Today (Wednesday, 17 December 2008) was Helen’s last day at pre-school before the Christmas break. She was given a handmade calendar for 2009 with a photo of her having fun at the pre-school, and a pencil case with her name on, filled with pencils, ready for school.
She was also given a book filled with photos, drawings and achievements at the pre-school. I felt quite emotional when I saw this as it is the fifth such book she has received. She has attended five different daycares, nurseries, and pre-schools in three different countries during her short life.
I wonder how the instability of our rather transient life has affected her. She is very good at making new friends. This has meant that she has settled in quickly at each establishment she has attended. However, each time, she has also been sad to leave behind her friends and she still misses friends from each of the places she has attended.
At her current pre-school, she is very good friends with three other girls, two of whom will start at the same school as her in January. I’m very pleased about this as it will give her some stability. However, she is very upset that the third girl, who is probably her closest friend, will be going to another school, so, yet again, there will be goodbyes and sadness. I know that these goodbyes affect her deeply, but I guess she is learning at a young age that life is full of endings and new beginnings. Hopefully, she will be very good at dealing with changes in her life when she is older.
Our living room is now filled with toys and clothes for baby David, given to us by a mother of two boys whom I met at the school’s induction days. She asked me if I would like some things that her two boys had grown out but I didn’t realize just how much she had to give away! Christmas has certainly come early! David is a very lucky boy! I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of many people since I arrived in Australia. People here are so friendly and helpful that, although I haven’t yet made any close friends, I do not feel alone.
It sounds like you’ve been surrounded by lovely generosity…I have also been amazed by that since moving to England, that we’ve barely had to buy a thing for our baby.