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a new year dawns

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Just as yesterday was a day of sad goodbyes, so too is today a day for new friends.

I dropped Kenny off at the day care among a sea of new faces. It brought back a rush of memories to see the new batch of year-old children toddling about with their name tags on their shoulders and their over-sized diapers. I can't believe it's been a full year since it was Kenny's turn.

Inside Kenny's class, there were plenty more changes. He's got four new classmates as of today, and a new set of teachers. Among the new faces was an inconsolable little boy of about Kenny's size who'd just been handed the shock of a lifetime: abandonment by his parents! I tried to approach him to help calm him but he reacted defensively, pulling away from me in fear. From the second he'd seen me enter behind Kenny he'd been staring at me and I suppose my bizarre appearance (towering non-Asian with a bicycle helmet) only added to his upset.

For his part, Kenny had to deal with finding the new place for his shoes and the new place for his towels. He needed my help with that, and as I was casting about, Kenny had tried to contact the crying boy. One of Kenny's new teachers praised Kenny's efforts.

When I went through the usual routine of holding out my hands for a double "goodbye high five" with Kenny he surprised me by accepting a hug instead. I guess he senses that there's a lot going on.

I have no idea what the curriculum is in the day care, but can't help wonder if it will now change. A larger class (thanks to some changed guidelines from the government allowing more students per square meter!) and another year older.