First Days

I will never forget your first day in this world. You made quite an entrance arriving in the middle of the night and only giving me two hours notice from the time my contractions started until you made your first appearance on December 19th, 1995, a little after 4:00am. I couldn't even have pain killers because you were in such a hurry. You had the umbilical cord wrapped tightly around your neck so you came out purple and quiet. I made your dad go and give you a little pinch to get you to cry (Yes... the doctor said that was a good idea!) That night, you stayed with me in my hospital room while your dad went home and slept. It was so close to Christmas that some of the hospital staff were going through the halls singing Christmas carols. Your aunt Monica and I got up to watch them. Their sweet songs lulled you right back to sleep. You, my love, will always be the best early Christmas present I will ever have.

Your first day of kindergarten you met a little girl named Victoria Perez. You two found each other that first day and became best friends within minutes. You had many first days together, including failed attempts at sleepovers where you would both end up in bed with us or Tori's parents.  Tori was your first friend to take you on a play date. You got to have McDonald's and had no problem speaking up and telling Donna and Gil that you did NOT like cheese on your burger. When we moved from Arcadia to Monrovia right before you started second grade, we knew there would be first days that you two would experience without each other so we made our best attempt to keep you connected by meeting up for dinner at the mall every Friday night. That lasted until almost middle school and our family dinners became less frequent, but that never stopped you from being friends with each other and using Facebook to share your first days together.

You started 2nd grade at a new school you didn't seem worried at all. You quickly made friends with Carina, Emily, and many others. You were ready to learn and explore your new world. You were so confident and happy.

Middle school wasn't an easy time for you because you got terribly sick during 7th grade and were in and out of the hospital for 6 months. You were so sick all the time that we had to put you on independent study. Your friends that you met in the 6th grade (Sophie, Sierra, and Kayla) stayed by your side though and had you over whenever you were well enough to go out.

You grew up a lot during the time you were sick. Friends often told us that you seemed like you had an old soul after that year. When you were cleared to go back to school in 8th grade, you were a little anxious about seeing all of your friends again and going back to school, but you did great.  You even came home with a couple new friends, Alyssa and Ashten. You have always had such a kind heart and a strong belief in making people feel good while conquering the injustices you saw in the world, like when Alyssa was told she couldn't attend 8th grade graduation. You and Asthen made her a diploma and held your own ceremony for her so she didn't feel left out. You even had me play graduation music for her.

The first day of each new high school year used to be so nerve racking for you because you were worried about finding your classes, remembering your locker combination, what teachers you would get, whether you would have your close friends in class, and if you had the right outfit chosen (after trying on about 30 outfits). Your room would look like a tornado had passed through it by the end of the night. I would have to give you tylenol pm just to make you tired. Then you would crawl under a pile of clothes and try to go to sleep. Last year, your friends were nervous too, so they came over and spent the night so you could all go to school together.

You had two real boyfriends, Rudy and Gus. Not at the same time of course, but both were able to capture a piece of your heart. Together you shared first kisses, first dates, valentines, break-ups, make-ups, and birthdays. This picture was taken on your 16th birthday. You looked gorgeous! You were so excited because that meant you would be able to get your driving permit, and then, your license.

Today would have been the first day of your Junior year. I have to admit that most days I feel like I can hold myself together, but yesterday I could feel my grief creeping up on me slowly, waiting for the perfect moment to come crashing down on me. I fought back tears most of the day and enjoyed a family outing (Yes... we were an 'outdoor' family yesterday!) Then last night, Emily stopped by to bring me a "first day of school Panda shirt". How wonderful it felt to know that I was being thought of too. That shirt was just what I needed to open up the flood gates of tears. Oh how it saddens me to think we will not have any more first days of school. This morning, I wanted to fight with you over room on the bathroom rug. I wanted to share make up and watch the morning news on the bathroom tv with you. I wanted to be able to yell down the hall to hurry up because we were going to be late AGAIN. I wanted to tell you that you looked beautiful like always and that you picked the perfect first day of school outfit. I wanted to make you lunch and buy you school supplies. It made me think about last week, when I was at Staples picking up some markers and envelopes to mail your CTR wristbands out and I saw a teenager about your age trying to get her parents to let her add a frivolous article to their already full shopping cart. I had to stop myself from shouting, "Oh please... just let her have it. Don't you know how lucky you are?"

I knew today would be hard for your friends too, because it was so hard for me. Your friends had shared so many stories of you sharing your lunch with them and that really warmed my heart. So I talked Lauren in to helping me make lunches for all 16 of your lunchtime friends.  We put in all of your favorite foods. PB and J sandwiches, fruit punch, hot Cheetos, fruit roll-up, chocolate chip muffin, and a granola bar. We packed them in brown paper bags because you like to tell Lauren and I that it made you felt special and like someone really loved you because they took the time to pack a lunch in a brown paper bag. Then Lauren dropped them off at school with Brandon. We wanted you to be part of the first day of school and you were sweetie. Your friends were surprised and grateful. Not only were they fed physically, but I believe their souls were fed as well. They know you love them still and you are going to be walking those halls with them, sharing lunches with them, and sending them hugs and kisses from heaven.

Before I left for work, after wiping away another mess of tears, the mailman dropped off a card from Sister Terrill. She wrote, "Back to School - May be tough - just remember that Amanda is now in the only school that really counts! Thinking of you each day." I can't tell you want it means to get these random cards from people. Sometimes it's like the world expects you to just move on already, but then there are people who understand that my heart will always miss you and I will have both good and bad days. We all will. It comforts me to know that you really are in the school that really counts. The Lord is teaching you all He needs you to know so you can continue to do your missionary work. You will continue to learn and grow, and with that growth, you will be able to pour blessings from the heavens on to all of us. I know I will have many first days without you now, but the first day I look forward to most is the one were we are reunited. I will love you forever and always my love.

Mama