Why can’t we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn’t work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.
~Charles M. Schulz
Bye Bye Butterfly – A Poem for Children
Our pre-school has two groups:
Tater Tots and Hot Dogs.
The Tater Tots are the tiny ones, Hot Dogs are BIG time.
The Tater Tots are always yipping on the heels of the Hot Dogs, who themselves are often strutting around like seniors before a Lilliputian Grad Night.
And yesterday, that’s kind of what it was. We had a Tater Tot turned Hot Dog, now ready for Kindergarten.
Writer Dad… Please stop talking about tater tots and hot dogs. It is either boring people, or making them hungry. Besides, there might be some new people on the site today, and you can’t afford to lose their attention.
Got it.
So today Daisy and I have our first graduate, that we didn’t make and bake ourselves.
We’ll call her Faye.
In two weeks, Faye’s having a baby brother. One more after that, and she’ll be in Kindergarten. She came to our school two and a half years ago, shortly after we opened; a frightened little girl who had never spent more than an hour out of earshot from family.
You can imagine the difficulty of this transition.
She was like a cub, pulled from her den by the scruff of her neck, and then suddenly dropped on the other side of the canyon with a new and unfamiliar pack to howl with. Faye spent her entire first day telling us over and over that she, “Missed her parents very well.” Fortunately, she quickly adapted, and this once scared little girl blossomed and bloomed into quite the extraordinary child.
I already miss her, though she isn’t yet gone. I wrote this poem for her, one of my favorite children, but I hope it can be read as poem for children everywhere.
Two years ago, our lives were all shifting. Warm whispering winds had set things to drifting. Blowing into our home a sweet little lassie; funny and smart, and a little bit sassy.
She had never been to a pre-school before, a few weeks from three, and a long ways from four. With a hard stomping foot, and a forsaken yell, she screamed, “I miss my parents… very well.”
That hard time for her, well it passed pretty soon, lasting a bit less than a full quarter moon. And then the frown on her face made a series of flips, and reversed the rotation on both of her lips.
She then walked around with a smile fixed to her face, unbelievably happy all over the place. The days, and the weeks, and the months they all melted. Faye was so special, and each of us felt it.
With kris-crossing limbs, and two folded hands, she stretched out her thoughts like they were brain rubber bands. She learned all her letters, and then all her words. Then she let them all fly like a flock full of birds.
But it didn’t end there. She wasn’t just a good reader. She was also a wonderfully natural leader. So at this time, I’d like to speak, about some of the things that make Faye so unique:
All of those ringlets, atop piles of curls (she has a million and one more than most other girls). Her animated spirit and her resolute soul, both qualities that will help in meeting most every goal.
Her generous nature when dealing with others, treating her friends like her sisters and brothers. I’m almost done now, but I’m not finished yet. Here are just a few things that I’ll never forget.
Speaking in nonsense and jibber jab sounds, while we sang and we danced and we ran all around. Hunting for butterflies, then letting them fly, as they flip flapped their wings and they colored our sky.
Looking in Faye’s eyes as I held both her hands, and she nodded her head with an, “I understand.” That day that Faye told us, “My mom’s having a baby.” The yes she so wanted, no longer a maybe.
Thank you little Faye, for being easy to reach, easy to play with, and easy to teach. So when we all sigh, “Oh that Faye, how we’ve missed her.” We’ll know that baby Ray Ray is lucky, that you’re his big sister.
Good luck Faye. Thanks for inspiring a poem for children everywhere. We will miss you very well.
Writer Dad
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Kool Aids last blog post..Transitions
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Kool Aids last blog post..Transitions
That was amazing! I don’t want my daughter to grow up now. She is turning 2 today, but already going on 13. Ready, or so she thinks, to be Ms. Independant, I don’t want her to fly away like a little butterfly, but I know that if I keep holding her, the wings will crumble and she won’t be able to go when she needs to. So thank you Writer Dad, for opening up my eyes and reminding me that it is ok for her to grow, but I’ll never forget when she was just “my little princess.”
Sals last blog post..TV vs. Movie
That was amazing! I don’t want my daughter to grow up now. She is turning 2 today, but already going on 13. Ready, or so she thinks, to be Ms. Independant, I don’t want her to fly away like a little butterfly, but I know that if I keep holding her, the wings will crumble and she won’t be able to go when she needs to. So thank you Writer Dad, for opening up my eyes and reminding me that it is ok for her to grow, but I’ll never forget when she was just “my little princess.”
Sals last blog post..TV vs. Movie
That was amazing! I don’t want my daughter to grow up now. She is turning 2 today, but already going on 13. Ready, or so she thinks, to be Ms. Independant, I don’t want her to fly away like a little butterfly, but I know that if I keep holding her, the wings will crumble and she won’t be able to go when she needs to. So thank you Writer Dad, for opening up my eyes and reminding me that it is ok for her to grow, but I’ll never forget when she was just “my little princess.”
Sals last blog post..TV vs. Movie
The youngest students I have had the pleasure of working with are five year olds, and they never cease to amaze me with their bright eyes, a burning desire to learn, and the ability to adapt. The even more special ones wrap themselves around your heart and never seem to leave.
The youngest students I have had the pleasure of working with are five year olds, and they never cease to amaze me with their bright eyes, a burning desire to learn, and the ability to adapt. The even more special ones wrap themselves around your heart and never seem to leave.
The youngest students I have had the pleasure of working with are five year olds, and they never cease to amaze me with their bright eyes, a burning desire to learn, and the ability to adapt. The even more special ones wrap themselves around your heart and never seem to leave.
That was touching. Thanks.
That was touching. Thanks.
That was touching. Thanks.
How sweet. I often feel bad for preschool teachers because I know that the best of them do get very attached to the children. It must be very hard to say goodbye.
“Missed her parents very well.” – such a smart little girl.
Vereds last blog post..Happy, Then Not
How sweet. I often feel bad for preschool teachers because I know that the best of them do get very attached to the children. It must be very hard to say goodbye.
“Missed her parents very well.” – such a smart little girl.
Vereds last blog post..Happy, Then Not
This is so sweet, and bright, and beautiful, but a little bit sad too. It sounds like baby Ray is indeed lucky to have glorious Faye as his sister :-)
Marelisas last blog post..Happiness Extravaganza: Tips, Tidbits, and Tools
This is so sweet, and bright, and beautiful, but a little bit sad too. It sounds like baby Ray is indeed lucky to have glorious Faye as his sister :-)
Marelisas last blog post..Happiness Extravaganza: Tips, Tidbits, and Tools
Awesome and beautiful!
My daughter has a similar set up in her class, well she had called Oldsters and Youngsters. It’s nice to see kids grow…in the right environment the sky is the limit.
Naturals last blog post..Are You Feeling Guilty Over Something?
Awesome and beautiful!
My daughter has a similar set up in her class, well she had called Oldsters and Youngsters. It’s nice to see kids grow…in the right environment the sky is the limit.
Naturals last blog post..Are You Feeling Guilty Over Something?
Awesome and beautiful!
My daughter has a similar set up in her class, well she had called Oldsters and Youngsters. It’s nice to see kids grow…in the right environment the sky is the limit.
Naturals last blog post..Are You Feeling Guilty Over Something?
Sniff…. I want to see Faye and give her a hug before she goes. Tell her I said hello and that I will miss her. She is my favorite person to color with other than Mia and Max.
Sniff…. I want to see Faye and give her a hug before she goes. Tell her I said hello and that I will miss her. She is my favorite person to color with other than Mia and Max.
Sniff…. I want to see Faye and give her a hug before she goes. Tell her I said hello and that I will miss her. She is my favorite person to color with other than Mia and Max.
Kool Aid: Thank you. I’ll be reading it to her in about an hour. I can’t wait to see her smile. Good luck with Monkey.
Sal: Happy birthday to your daughter. Believe me, she’ll be ready for most things a bit before you’re ready for her to be.
SpaceAgeSage: Five is SUCH an amazing age. They are still so small, but ready for so much.
Dot H: You are most welcome.
Vered: I am sad. Daisy is in mourning.
Marelisa: Faye is at a great age to be a big sister. She’s wanted it for a really long time, and now that her brother’s almost here, she’s old enough to understand it, which will dim her jealousy. She’s a really good girl, and I’m sure she will do a lot to help her mom with the difficulty of having a new baby in the house after five years without.
Natural: No kidding. We just need more people to believe in the possibilities of what children can do.
Kittytown: It is so nice to see you around these parts. I already gave Faye a hug and told her you’d miss her very well. We have some wonderful pictures that her mom took that I’ll show you next time you’re over.
Kool Aid: Thank you. I’ll be reading it to her in about an hour. I can’t wait to see her smile. Good luck with Monkey.
Sal: Happy birthday to your daughter. Believe me, she’ll be ready for most things a bit before you’re ready for her to be.
SpaceAgeSage: Five is SUCH an amazing age. They are still so small, but ready for so much.
Dot H: You are most welcome.
Vered: I am sad. Daisy is in mourning.
Marelisa: Faye is at a great age to be a big sister. She’s wanted it for a really long time, and now that her brother’s almost here, she’s old enough to understand it, which will dim her jealousy. She’s a really good girl, and I’m sure she will do a lot to help her mom with the difficulty of having a new baby in the house after five years without.
Natural: No kidding. We just need more people to believe in the possibilities of what children can do.
Kittytown: It is so nice to see you around these parts. I already gave Faye a hug and told her you’d miss her very well. We have some wonderful pictures that her mom took that I’ll show you next time you’re over.
Thanks for your post at my site, Writer Dad. Glad to know other dads out there are digging the Colfer books. I will have to check out the other novels you recommended.
Please do stay in touch. You have a warm, meaningful writing style, so keep it up.
Gregory Keer
Family Man (R)
Thanks for your post at my site, Writer Dad. Glad to know other dads out there are digging the Colfer books. I will have to check out the other novels you recommended.
Please do stay in touch. You have a warm, meaningful writing style, so keep it up.
Gregory Keer
Family Man (R)
“Writer Dad… Please stop talking about tater tots and hot dogs. It is either boring people, or making them hungry. Besides, there might be some new people on the site today, and you can’t afford to lose their attention.
Got it.”
Talking to yourself in a blog entry. Love it!
Great poem. Rhythmic and creative. Wow.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..8-8-08
“Writer Dad… Please stop talking about tater tots and hot dogs. It is either boring people, or making them hungry. Besides, there might be some new people on the site today, and you can’t afford to lose their attention.
Got it.”
Talking to yourself in a blog entry. Love it!
Great poem. Rhythmic and creative. Wow.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..8-8-08
Saying goodbye can be tough. You have said it well in what you have written. And it reminds me that they all grow up faster than we think.
Lances last blog post..Simple Fun
Saying goodbye can be tough. You have said it well in what you have written. And it reminds me that they all grow up faster than we think.
Lances last blog post..Simple Fun
Saying goodbye can be tough. You have said it well in what you have written. And it reminds me that they all grow up faster than we think.
Lances last blog post..Simple Fun
Family Man: Thank you for the compliment, and I will.
Bamboo Forest: Thank you. You’re one of those whose personality shines through the words. Your posts make me smile.
Lance: Thank you. Check out the update. It was a little tough.
Family Man: Thank you for the compliment, and I will.
Bamboo Forest: Thank you. You’re one of those whose personality shines through the words. Your posts make me smile.
Lance: Thank you. Check out the update. It was a little tough.
Hi Writer Dad,
I love the poem. It was absolutely beautiful and moving. Great work!
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Open Mic – Monthly Mini Meme Friday
Hi Writer Dad,
I love the poem. It was absolutely beautiful and moving. Great work!
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Open Mic – Monthly Mini Meme Friday
WONDERFUL poem. I loved it! How much I understand the thrill/sadness of watching your Little Ones grow.
Please keep writing poetry,
T
WONDERFUL poem. I loved it! How much I understand the thrill/sadness of watching your Little Ones grow.
Please keep writing poetry,
T
I’ve got tears on my cheeks as I’m writing this to you.
You are a wonderful teacher AND writer. The love of your students shines through your beautiful verse. Hope you write a graduation poem for every one of them when the time comes!
P.S. I’m terrible at goodbye’s of any kind! Even if they’re not my own. Sniff, sniff.
I’ve got tears on my cheeks as I’m writing this to you.
You are a wonderful teacher AND writer. The love of your students shines through your beautiful verse. Hope you write a graduation poem for every one of them when the time comes!
P.S. I’m terrible at goodbye’s of any kind! Even if they’re not my own. Sniff, sniff.
Barbara Swafford: Thank you Barbara. She’s such a smart, beautiful girl. It made the words easier to pull from the air.
T Edwards: I have a bundle of children’s stories in the same vein. They’re awaiting judgement in an agent’s office right now. I’m thinking of contacting artists directly and releasing them myself.
Linda Abbit: Giving the poem to Faye made me think that I should start working on one for everybody, so You’ll definitely hear them as they are handed out.
Barbara Swafford: Thank you Barbara. She’s such a smart, beautiful girl. It made the words easier to pull from the air.
T Edwards: I have a bundle of children’s stories in the same vein. They’re awaiting judgement in an agent’s office right now. I’m thinking of contacting artists directly and releasing them myself.
Linda Abbit: Giving the poem to Faye made me think that I should start working on one for everybody, so You’ll definitely hear them as they are handed out.