Chapters

So today a chapter (a FIVE year chapter) is closing in our lives.  It's been a really wonderful chapter with lots of special characters, twists and turns, challenges and successes.  But today the last piece of this chapter is being written and then it will be over.

Today is Kara's last day of preschool at Hunters Woods Preschool.  John started there five years ago, when he was 3 1/2 and Kara was just shy of her first birthday.  Seems like a lifetime ago now.  We've all grown, learned, changed, developed, cried, smiled, laughed and cheered since then.  The kids and us as parents as well.  And while I can't say I loved EVERY minute of it, I can say that I loved most of it and that I wouldn't change it at all.  It's all gone into making us who we are today and gearing us all up for the crazy, wonderful road ahead.

Kara has been at this preschool for three years and has had the fortune to have her playgroup (which also began the same fall that John started at HWPS) with her in class for the last two years, in addition to several other close friends in the class.  Of course that did lead to some drama, some interesting moments, and some frustration, but in the end it was a special experience for her.  She has formed bonds with friends, has outgrown much of her shyness, has done things I never would have expected.  She is an amazing girl, and is so ready for the next chapter in her life.

We've had the joy of having amazing classroom teachers, the preschool is led by a founding member and also fabulous woman, and we have made so many close family friends during our time at HWPS.  It has been so much more than a preschool for us.  It's been our support, our comfort, our guide, and our joy.  This five year journey has been challenging, of course, but we have survived it.  No, survived isn't quite right...thrived, excelled, climbed, and most importantly succeeded in becoming "kindergarten ready" (whatever the heck that term is supposed to mean) and also in becoming better parents and a stronger family in the process.

I keep finding myself saying "thank you" to the teachers, to the kids and to the families of the preschool.  But those words don't feel like enough to show the depths of which I feel thankful.  This chapter may be closing, but it will never be forgotten.  Its impact will be the foundation with which we go forward into the next chapter.  I have loved this chapter and I know I will also love the next chapter, but today, here, now...I'm cherishing the last few moments this chapter has for us.

Thank you Hunters Woods Preschool......