Shy-Girl Conquers Kindergarden!

“Going to a new school is always the beginning of new adventures and possibilities,” is what mom kept saying as we—well, she—began packing up our home.

My name is Anya and I was nervous and shy about starting a new school after just moving back to Washington, D.C. from my last home in Arlington, VA.

All of my old friends were back at Hoffman Ballston School with Ms. Natalie, my teacher. Why me?

No way, no how. I didn't want to do it, but Mommy said that she was nervous too, so she would need my help if we were going to make this work.

So off we went to our new home with help from my cousins, Titis and Tios—that’s my Aunts and Uncles, just in case I confused anyone.

Our new apartment building was going to be part of Mommy's new job. She was in property management and was going to manage buildings. It was boring to a 5-year-old, but I understand now that I'm 12-years-old.

It didn't take Mommy long to unpack, she’s good at that stuff, so we went to the park near our house, which was within walking distance. Who knew that was possible?

As we got closer, I saw a bright, old, red brick building that looked like a firehouse next to the park.

What I didn't know was that the red firehouse-looking building was going to be my new school. I had my “I'm not so sure, but I think I like it” moment, as Mom tells it.

Ross Elementary School Park—Mommy did her homework and had a plan working before I could blink and before I knew what hit me.

I meet Marco, Luke, Kate, Jennifer, Alexia and Arnie that summer before school started—but not at the same time, just in case I didn't say that.

We came to the park every weekend before school started. I met up with my new friends and new classmates and played for hours.

Mommy made play dates and lunch dates and before I knew it, the school start date was right around the corner.

Cute pigtails, white shirt, navy skirt and princess backpack and we were out the door. Hey, it was cute and I have a picture to prove it.

We walked to school holding hands. Mommy said, “Baby girl, today will be your best day.” Smiling up at Mommy, I saw that I was not as nervous and scared as I once remembered.

I ran into the gate to my new friends while Mommy was saying hi to the new parents and teachers. She liked Mr. Coss the best, she said that he had his hands full already, chasing kids out the gate on the first day.

My new teacher was Ms. Lee. As we lined up to go into school, Mommy took a picture of my first day of school and my day began.

3:30 could not come fast enough. I ran out to see Mommy waiting for me in the playground and couldn't wait to tell her about my day.

“Mommy, you were right, it was my best day ever! Do you know who my new teacher is? I sat by Jennifer for lunch and made a new friend. Her name is Jordan.”

Rounding the corner, we ran into Grandma, who was just getting home from her day at the senior center. We both had stories to share.

As I told grandma about my day, I realized Mommy was just listening and smiling. She said I gave her my Anya face, which to her was my sparkle. I didn't name it, but mom said I owned it—even still today.

After finishing my story, I turned back and said, “Hey, Mommy, you knew all along that everything would be OK.”

She turned to me and said, “Well, a little faith and positive thinking is all it took. I was praying, but I knew great things would happen.”

What I know at 12-years-old that I didn't know at 5-years-old is that my mom was and is always my champion, my hero. But let's keep that part a secret—I don't want her to know that I’m figuring it out just yet.

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Just when you think you've got them figured out...they help you see the world is not as scary as you thought...