Laowai

Today my girls started back to school. It is a big change for Bea this year. She is going to 6th grade at the middle school and so she commutes all by herself. She walks from our house to the train station, takes the train and then a bus and then it’s another short walk to her school. It all takes about 40 minutes. She is happy to be independent but I think she had some butterflies this morning.

Why is it such a surprise when I look at her and see how grown up she is. I knew this was coming from the moment she was born but I find myself shocked. I find myself gazing at her and wondering how she got so big and lovely and grown-up. I know she will settle into her new school routine soon but today I just keep wondering how she is doing with everything so new.

And Claire too – she started 3rd grade today. She gets to stay at the same school as last year. It was raining when I dropped her off at school and she was smiling. 

Sigh.

Here is Bea heading for the train station: