First Day of School!

Today started off like any other morning over the last few months.  Paige and I dropped Jeremy off at school and wished him a fabulous day.  From there it was usually back to the house for breakfast and schoolwork--but today was different.  Today was extra special.  Today was my girl's first day of school!

Yes,  it's January.  School has been in session about 5 months now, and Paige has been working very hard to keep up with classwork while undergoing some pretty intense chemotherapy.  So, why is today such a big deal?  This is Paige's first day to attend classes at school in over a year!

We've been striving for this day for a long, long time--so why am I such a ball of nerves over this?!?  To my defense, we have been joined at the hip for the last year.  I have been with this girl through every chemo treatment, procedure, MRI--you name it.  I have been her physical support when she was too weak to get up from the couch on her own.  I have comforted her through nausea, pain, tears, and fears.  Getting that girl well again has been my primary focus the last 12 months.

Whew--that was quite the rundown!  Time to go back to the "I've-got-it-all-together" version of myself.  I know this is a good thing, for Paige and for her mom.  She went through all of the 'normal' kid stuff last night and this morning.  Deciding what to wear.  Difficulty getting to sleep.  First-day jitters.  Questions about just how different high school would be.  Stuff every kid experiences.  It may sound crazy, but she actually seemed okay with all of those feelings--because they were normal.  She's been needing this time, and it's finally here.

Her stamina isn't quite where it needs to be to attempt full days just yet, so we are beginning the transition with partial days.  Paige will attend her first 4 classes--allowing her to be there for the all-important lunch period with friends--and continue homebound instruction for the remaining 3 classes until she's able to make it the entire day.  We're not putting any kind of timeline on it.  It depends on maintaining counts, continued good health through treatments, and a whole host of other variables--but that's okay.  If I've learned anything over the last year, it's to take things one day at a time.

Our journey of faith continues.  Paige still has about 18 months left in her treatment, but having her health at the point where it's safe for her to be back in school for any amount of time is a giant milestone.  I couldn't be more thankful.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.   Romans 12:12