"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
--Jeremiah 29:11

Thursday, August 23, 2012

First Day

Connie started his first day of kindergarten (Primary) today at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. On time. With his class! We are flabbergasted that just 15 days ago his little heart was stopped while surgeons worked to make it better. Now he's reached this "normal" childhood milestone on pace with his peers. Today and tomorrow are half days. When I dropped him off in the cafeteria this morning he was a little nervous and seemed on the verge of tears. What happened next couldn't have gone any better. His school nurse walked in and introduced herself and asked him to help her with a special job. That's when I said good-bye and left him in her capable hands. She walked him over to the 8th grade boys who would be in charge of delivering him to his classroom on the other side of campus. She asked him if he would carry something to his teacher for her. He willingly obliged. That little bit of responsibility was enough to take his mind off his nerves and he immediately started jabbering to the big boys. He told them all about Star Wars on the XBox and how he slept in his sister's bottom bunk last night, etc. There are definite advantages to working in your child's school! It was so wonderful to get a full report on the start of his day. When I picked him up and asked him how was his day, he replied, "It was a little bit great!" He was all smiles and can't wait to go back tomorrow. His teacher reported, with a twinkle in her eye, that he had a great first day. To quote his cardiologist, "...and his remarkable story continues." Today marks the beginning of a new journey for Conway's heart. His physical heart has been restored and now is the time for his spiritual heart to grow and be nurtured. We are so blessed that his school is a place where the focus is on training the heart as well as the mind. Here are a few pics from the first day.