Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.

I was a hands in father, and held each by hand as I walked them to school, or later drove them walked them to the gate if the school. One road my shoulders on her first day after we kicked up piles of mixed colors of leaves that had fallen from the trees seemingly overnight.

I remember catching the eye of my daughter’s teacher who looked like a little pixie to me, bare foot at the door, and her dark and very short hair. I wanted to make sure she knew I was bringing my daughter for her first day of school.

Her older brother was excited for his first day, and ran as fast as he could because he wanted to play.

My oldest daughter’s younger brother flipped up his collar and became someone I did not know because I think put up defenses because he was afraid.

My youngest years later was prepared, with her little backpack, and new clothes, because she began her education much earlier and had already been to many preschool programs, and was calling us mother and father, which made me chuckle. Later, she would call us, simply,  mom and dad.

All grew up to become they are today, but like all children, which will sometimes will break your heart, when it happens, is those first steps of stepping away, and you already know they are growing up and someday go away.