Can I just share a little sorrow? I recently changed jobs at my company, a move I had to make to stay employed because of restructuring within the company. I have much to be thankful for, for one, that I have a job in this economy and secondly, that I didn't have to take a pay cut or salary reduction. The downside is that there is a good deal of travel involved which I am willing to do, but the very first dose of it happens to fall on the week that Alekha starts first grade. I was pretty heartbroken when I found out. I am not sure who shed more tears over it - me or Alekha. Anyway, I am not one to complain much so I am sucking it up and moving on... but I just had to share. I won't be there to give her a reassuring kiss and a hug on her first day, to pack a note into her lunch and to listen to all her stories after school. I had it all planned out that I would pick her up after her first day in a new school, surrounded by new faces and a new teacher, and take her for a milkshake at the local ice cream shop to share the events of the big day and celebrate the start of her long journey in education ahead. Sadly, it is not going to happen, until I get back. Atleast she will have her Daddy and his parents to help ease her through the week. Thanks for letting me unburden. I imagine many of you are dealing with back to school issues too ---- so I thought you'd enjoy these school themed images. I like to think she will have her own set of guardian angels to watch over her while I am gone, just like in this image. *sigh*