A cherished childhood photo hangs in my home, sepia-toned and part of a collection of four in a rectangular frame. It captures a moment from September 1996 as I boarded Bus No. 426, with my oversized backpack in tow. The phrase “watch your step” is ironically evident on the bus’s top riser, a reminder of my first day of kindergarten when I stumbled as my teacher, Mrs. Thomas, watched with concern.
Fast forward to Monday, when my wife Katie and I took our daughter Effie to Washington and Stuart Streets for her first day of kindergarten with Fredericksburg City Schools. Moments earlier, Effie indulged us with the customary “first day” photos on our porch, proudly holding a sign that declared her fascination with “cats, bedtime stories, and Mama’s brown leggies,” alongside her dream to become a “Mail Lady.”
Her backpack, packed with folders, a lunchbox, and a change of clothes for any mishaps, seemed to weigh her down as we waited. A friendly cat, known as “Dude,” wandered by, offering her a chance for petting. Nearby, a nervous dad stood with his daughter, both looking apprehensive.
At 7:35 a.m., Bus F-as-in-Frog arrived, smoothly gliding down Washington. After sharing hugs and high fives, Effie stepped aboard, asking the bus driver, Mr. Bill, something before disappearing behind tinted windows, ready to start her new adventure.
People constantly inquire, “Did you cry?” The answer is no. We felt a mix of odd emotions, maybe a hint of helplessness. For the next eight hours, she would navigate her day on her own, likely encountering both challenges and successes.
By Thursday, Effie had adapted to her new routine, expressing affection for her teachers and classes. She even began incorporating trendy expressions typical of her generation into her speech. One night, she exclaimed, “I almost fell off the bed — on God!” while playing before bedtime.
As expected, she caught a virus that disrupted her otherwise robust start to school. On Friday morning, as Katie and I prepped lunch and filled up water bottles, we found Effie slumped on the couch. It seemed her enthusiasm for school was curtailed by a fever of 102. So, we embraced one more unexpected day of relaxation together, reminding ourselves that perfect attendance isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.