THE PUBLIC SHELF
Open when it's your first day
You're going to get lost finding the bathroom. Everyone does. I got lost on my first day of second grade and ended up in the janitor's closet, and Mr. Alvarez let me help him fix a mop. It turned out to be a very good day.
So here's the plan for yours.
Say hi to one person. Just one. Pick the kid who looks as nervous as you, because there is always one, and they're usually the best friend you'll have all year.
Eat the lunch I packed, even if the others are buying theirs. There's a surprise under the sandwich. Don't tell your brother.
If something goes wrong, if you spill the milk or forget a name or cry a little in the hallway, that's allowed. First days aren't supposed to go perfectly. They're supposed to go.
And when I pick you up at three, I'm going to ask you to tell me one good thing. Start looking for it now. It can be tiny. A nice pencil. A teacher who smiled. A window seat.
I'll be the one at the gate trying very hard not to look like I've been waiting there since two.
I'm so proud of you. You're braver than I was.
Mom
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