"I am very excited but only a little scared"

So today was Ayden's "official" first day of 1st grade. It was red day and he was very excited that 2 of his friends Kennedy and Ashley are in his class and sit at his table. It was bitter sweet for me, I was so happy that he was going back to school but my heart ached because he would be gone all day. This morning as I was helping him get dressed he said in a somber small voice "I am very excited but only a little scared" as tears rolled down his face. I got a sharpie and drew a small heart in the palm of his hand and told him when ever he got sad or scared he could look at his hand and remember how much I loved him. I got the idea from my very favorite children's book The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (is you don't own it yet go pick it up) ~A perfect first day story. This is a story about a little raccoon ready to start school. He talks about his fears to his mother, fears that most children have before beginning school. His mother comes up with a wonderful solution to help her little raccoon remember that she loves him and is thinking about him, even when she isn't with him. A wonderful and heart-warming story to share with little ones. After I walked him to the 1st grade door, took some pictures and we said our goodbyes I walked back to my car with tears in my eyes wishing I had a heart in my hand that he drew, silly I know but I am going to miss him too.