Her life is about to change forever...

The other day my husband said to our five-year-old daughter, "Your life is about to change forever." And that was the first time that it really hit me. He's right. Her life is about to change forever, because tomorrow she starts kindergarten and her life never will be the same again. The rest of her life from here on out will be dedicated to something specific. Whether it be a student for the next  13+ years, or someone out in the "real world" contributing to society and (hopefully) making a difference. Soon the days of being a kid with no plans who can enjoy every second as it comes and not worry about what is to come will be gone.

She's a five year old so excited to start school and every morning she wakes up and she asks "is kindergarten starting?" I wish that she could hold on to that excitement and always have that desire for learning.

I know that someday in the not-so-distant future I will have to drag her kicking and screaming out of bed, fighting against having to go to school, complaining that she doesn't like her teacher, complaining about homework and tests, but for now, I hope she enjoys it. I hope she enjoys every second of the fun she is about to embark upon. This amazing journey of life and living and learning. And I hope that she can hold on to that excitement and wonderment of going to school. Of seeing the "big kids," learning form them and their experiences. And may she never take for granted the beauty of education.

I guess that's why we start this big change when we are young, when ignorance is bliss. Because if she knew what was in store for her over the next almost 20 years of school and college, would she be this excited? Would she be so eager to put on her uniform and new school shoes and head out on this journey? If she truly knew what was in store for her come middle school and high school, she would not have the eagerness inside her to learn and to step foot onto that school bus and walk through those school doors. But I'm glad she is eager for it. I'm glad she is ready to go to school. And I hope that just like her mother, she gets so excited for that first day of school each year.

What would you do if you knew it was your last day in the status quo? If you knew your life was about to change forever?

As an adult, I understand what this last day of freedom means for her. Her last chances to not worry if she is doing enough, if she is smart enough, if the other kids like her. Of comparing herself to others. Learning that society is harsh on people. Soon she will be seeing what the world is really like, and not the way she sees it now - full of wonder and mystery and things to explore. Of course, all those things will still be there but she won't see the world that way, through the innocent eyes of childhood.

What would you do if you could go back to those days but know what the start of school meant?

I want her to hold on to that love of school, of learning. To never take it for granted.

And of course this year we will hope for a better school picture than last year's. :)