Let the year begin....

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Today is the first day of school.  Dillon has not been in school since May 15, 2012.  He was so excited and a little nervous when we parted ways this morning. He tentatively walked up to a classmate and began chatting...before I knew it he had disappeared into the surroundings of people and trees.  It was so normal...but my heart was in my throat the whole morning.  It felt similar to when we left him for the first time in kindergarten.  All those firsts, all of those unknowns, all of the anticipation.  What a blessing....what a miracle......our boy is a 7th grader.

At breakfast this morning the boys were discussing what they were going to do first when they got to school.  Of course playing basketball was a hot topic.  On their playground, however, Luca is not allowed into the area of the field that holds the court where Dillon would be playing basketball (there is a smaller court for the younger kids).  Dillon spoke of wanting to playing basketball with friends (and my heart was aching for Luca not to feel left out).  Luca quickly chimed in.  "Dillon, I know you missed your friends a lot and you have been with me all summer.....but after a few days of getting used to being with them again, will you come play basketball with me on the small court?"  Oh this boy and his courage, his kindness, his huge understanding heart.  Dillon of course told him that he definitely plans on hanging out with him a bit and shooting some hoops....just not today...but for sure it will be soon.  The loving bond between these two never ceases to amaze me

The Buckley Boys first day of school 2013-2014

Luca was just plain excited.  He was zipping around the playground locating friends and hiding from the girls in the trees.  This boy has the most amazing memory.  At the end of last school year he wrote a note to his new teacher (his teacher for 1st and 2nd grade left at the end of last year).  He held onto that note the entire summer in his "special box" in his room.  This morning as he was getting ready, he announced that he had put the note into his backpack....how does he remember these things???  Right when we got to school he located his new classroom, waited around a bit, and as soon as his new teacher entered the room Luca went right up to him with a bright smiling face and handed him the note.  It was sweet and special.  His teacher later told Sean and I that Luca was the first face he saw in his classroom that morning and that he would not soon forget the sunny little boy who gave him a note on the first day of 3rd grade.

Luca chose to wear his Relay for Life American Cancer Society shirt today.  On the back it says 'caregiver.'  He is so proud to be Dillon's little brother.

The Santa Fe Waldorf School has a ceremony on the first day of school.  The entire school (all 220 of them from K-12) gathers outside under the trees to honor the upcoming year.  The Senior class is present and they give flowers to each of the new First Graders as they embark on their journey through the grade school.  It is a welcoming ceremony.  The Eight Grade class is honored as this is the first day of the last year of their grade school journey.  Then the new faculty are introduced.  Finally new students are introduced to the school.  They don't have to go up on the stage or anything and many of them try to shrink down into their seats as their names are called.  I did not know if Dillon was considered a "new student."  I mean, he has been there since 2nd grade....but he missed the entire 6th grade.   And alas, the names for the 7th grade class begin....and Dillon Buckley rings loud and clear over the speakers.  There is an immediate roar of cheers....kids, teachers, and parents alike.  Then Big D stands up, turns around toward the crowd with a huge smile on his face and waves a big hello to everyone.   The cheers and applause are enormous and prolonged.  Someone (presumably a friend of mine) leans in behind me and whispers...."he's back."  As I sit there trying to control the tears I think to myself....IS HE EVER!!!!!!

There are no words.......first day of 7th grade

An interesting little (actually GIGANTIC) fact.....August 24 was Dillon's 1-year milestone for being cancer free!!!

Also....September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.  It is a gold ribbon.  Interestingly enough September is also Lymphoma Awareness Month and the ribbon is GREEN.....Dillon's favorite color.  Life is full of so many mysteries.