Nora started preschool this past Fall. She needed school. Academically, she was probably ahead of the curve. She knew all her colors, shapes, body parts, how to write her name, the alphabet, could count, and had a vocabulary of a five-year old. Physically she was definitely ahead of the curve. All of her fine and gross motor skills were well-developed. Nora needed time away from home. She needed to learn how to listen to adults, play with other kids, and follow rules. And, I’ll be honest, I needed a break.

Nora is a fabulous girl. She is funny hilarious, sweet girl. She is thoughtful and loving. No one is perfect though. She is rather difficult sometimes. She throws temper tantrums and is very stubborn. I had no way to know how she would do in school, so I crossed my fingers and signed her up.

The year started off smoothly. She is in a three-year old preschool class that meets 3 days a week. It’s a small Lutheran school. She has 14 classmates. She immediately liked going to school, most of the time. The teacher seemed to like her. Nora was talking about friends and telling me Bible stories as she learned them. It seems like lately she has been home sick more than she has been at school. Still, she jumps back in the routine without hesitation. While some kids still cry as their parents leave, Nora gives me hugs and starts in on her work. I could not ask for more.

Last Friday was my first parent teacher conference for Nora. I do all the school activities and events by myself. Tim is usually working. Attending one of Nora’s events alone is nothing new. Cason and Nora played while I sat with the teacher. Ms. N explained how Nora recognized most of her numbers and how well she uses scissors. She spoke on how much Nora has improved from the beginning of the year. All of those things are wonderful. Then she told me how caring Nora is and how Nora loves to help her friends through rough times. That melted my heart. That overshadowed all the other kind words.

Yes, being smart, independent, and like everyone else makes life easier. Having a giving heart and a kind spirit is what life is really about. Ms. N couldn’t have said anything to make me happier, except maybe what she wrote in Nora’s report card. Her comment read:

Nora is a wonderful friend. She cares very much for the other children, she shares, and worries about them when they are sad and tries to cheer them up. Very sweet. God’s love shines brightly in her little heart and it shows.

“God’s love shines brightly in her little heart…” are words I will never forget. They are the best words I have seen or heard in reference to my children. There is no better compliment. It’s not all me though. Nora comes from a large family where people care if she is happy or sad. A family where there is always someone to play with and hugs are never in short supply. We all are different and interact differently with each other. We have flaws and we say sorry when we mess up. Sometimes life is a little crazy here, and often noisy, but we are always family. And, as a family, we are doing something right.