Saying Good-bye

For three years Keilani and I stumbled out of bed and made our way into a room decorated with yellow school buses, red apples, cartoon animals, and a chalk board. I homeschooled Keilani from Kindergarten to the 2nd grade. Although Keilani has attended a small private school for the last two years, we still call that room the school room. Well, we did… until Christmas. That’s when we bought a Wii and now it’s the game room.

Two days ago, Kevin and I discovered the selling power of Craig's List. Oh what fun! Within 24 hours we sold a treadmill, a dresser, and a desk. Not just any desk, but Keilani’s homeschool desk. A sentimental lump formed at the back of my throat as I took a warm wash cloth and wiped off the dust.

Keilani, who didn’t know we were selling the desk, stopped in her tracks when she entered the room, "What? You’re selling MY desk?"

"Yes, Baby. We don't need it anymore. It's really too small for you."

Yanking the chair out and plopping down she squealed, "Look! I still fit! See? Please don't sell it!"

"We already did. They’ll be here in the morning to pick it up."

Sad eyes stared back at me, "Oh... that makes me sad."

Feeling a little regret, I softly agreed, "Me too."

We sat in silence for a few more seconds and stared at the sturdy wooden desk. My mind danced around a multitude of memories. This is where Keilani learned to read. This is where she learned to write. This is where we spent hours exploring, learning, laughing, playing, laboring... oh the tears… hers and mine! There were times when I thought I was a terrible teacher with patience that could only fill a thimble. There were tears of joy when the sparkle in Keilani's big brown eyes told me she got it! The excitement on her face, in her voice... in her laughter... in her hug... Oh, I really miss those times.

I stared at the desk. It was time to say good-bye.

Keilani is now 9 and in the 4th grade. She is an excellent student. Although she misses sleeping in, having school in her pajamas, vacations anytime we want, she loves being surrounded by her friends, participating in talent shows, school recitals, and especially recess. My shy child escaped her cocoon and is now a social butterfly. If you have been following my blog for any time at all, you will know this to be true.

The doorbell rang at 10 o’clock sharp. A lady with three young wide eyed children smiled back at me as I open the door and invited them in. The youngest child hesitantly slid herself onto the child-sized chair and attempted to contain her approval. The mom smiled in satisfaction and said, “It’s perfect.”

Keilani stayed hidden in the game room until I peaked my head inside the room, “It’s gone. Are you still sad?”

She squinted her eyes and puckered her lips in an attempt to retrieve any leftover emotions still attached to that desk and then said, “Nah… we already said our good-byes.”

And that was that.


This picture was taken last night. Keilani sat in the desk most of the evening - including eating dinner and Bible Quizzing!


This picture was in the 1st grade. We were studying about Thanksgiving! There's the chair, but the desk was downstairs for when we did school there. I searched high and low for a picture of that desk!


Keilani's 1st day of school! She was 4-years-old.


This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post - I just love it!