Graduate 2018.

today my baby boy graduated from preschool.

he is my one who gets overwhelmingly nervous and shy in new situations,

or even when he has been going to something for almost a year.

everyday i have to hand him off to a teacher because 

the thought of running to his friends is too scary.

it has taken him almost 2 years to speak to his swimming teacher

and he still has to be bribed to go to sunbeams.

i asked him if he would be ok to do all this,

going on a big stage in front of lots of people he didn't know

he told me that he would be brave and

that all I had to do was drop him at the classroom and he would be ok.

my little zayden beamed confidence today

and for that alone i could not have been more proud.

he has taught me patience, compassion and to embrace people for all that they are.

his smile was so contagious.

and to make today even more special

he was awarded the "Vicki Miles" kindness award.

only 1 child from each class was awarded this

and all the teachers voted for the recipients.

of course by this time i wasn't smiling or cheering

i was BALLING like a baby.

he will never know how proud i am of him in this moment.

i wish i could bottle it up 

so that when he has moment of nervousness or isn't feeling so brave,

i could sprinkle it on him to know how great and loved he is.

his teacher came up to me after and explained that 

zayden isn't the loudest or most confident (as we know) 

but it was through his quite actions of service and kindness towards others,

when he didn't think anyone was watching,

that made him receive this award.

my heart is so full for him

and i cannot wait to see what the future holds in store for him.

i hope that he will always be the boy that is known for his "kindness".