Launch Day!

Today is the first day of school for my four oldest kids.  Three of them woke up on their own before 6:30 am.  Amazing.   New outfits, new backpacks, new shoes, new lunch boxes.  Each and every kid was excited to pack their lunch.  Also amazing.  All the kids enjoyed a hot breakfast.  All were ready to go.  Dad dropped off the three elementary kids, and the brand new 7th grader headed to the bus stop.
I turned on PBS for the youngest two, and sat down with a sigh a relief.
8:26am, the 7th grader returns.
"Mom, the bus didn't show up."
"Okay guys, shoes on and in the car NOW!"
We made it, at 8:42.  Horribly close to the official 8:45 start time.  This would never do.
The bus company had warned me that if they didn't anticipate any students at a stop, they might skip it.  I had changed our address with them(twice.)  Did it not take?
So I came home and called the bus company.
"The bus driver was late.  Arrived at the stop at 8:22."
One minute after my almost tearful 7th grader gave up.  Argh.
A friend reminded us that "bus riders don't count as late if the bus is late."
BUT it's the first day!  At a new school!  I wanted this to be perfect for him!  Standing in the rain for 20 minutes just to have mom drive you isn't perfect.
But  your 4 &5 year old instantly obeying, stop watching tv, and get in the car in less than 3 minutes is.
The seventh grader trying to launch at drop off with a smile is.
The seventh grader saying "thanks mom." is.
The no fighting between the 4 &5 year old in the car is.
The 4 year old, buckling his own seat belt for the first time is.
And maybe, for the twelve year old, knowing mom will have your back in the face of uncertainty is too.