Twas the night before...the first day of school

Once upon a time, I didn't wake up at 2 am worrying about the first day of school.  But that's when I was the one in school, not my child. 

When I was in college, I was given a nickname, based on a theme of Disney characters.  My understanding is that there was a fight between those who wanted Princess Jasmine and Big Mama, but the emotional characteristics of Big Mama won, even if the physical characteristics were in Jasmine-land.  Big Mama, for those of you non-Disney folk, is the owl who finds Tod a home after he is orphaned in The Fox and the Hound. 
Big Mama took care of everybody, and sheltered those she loved under her wing.  Big Mama also had a strong sense of the way of things.  She tried to take care of the emotional needs as well as the physical needs with sayings such as, "Darlin', forever is a long, long  time, and time has a way of changing things."

I charge head-first into the fray when I am protecting my young.  I am learning to think first, but I still find myself with my wings wrapped around the munchkin, shielding him from the very things my mind knows he has to deal with on his own to be strong.  I hurt for the process he goes through, and I want to hug him and hold him and make it better.  Unfortunately, he isn't a toddler anymore, and hugs and kisses seem to do less and less as he takes his steps toward independence.  The munchkin has had a rough time at school the past couple years.  I so want this year to be better for him.

I took this picture this afternoon, and hope if he can rest so sweetly with the puppy, he has the inner strength to do more than even I can imagine.  Sweet dreams, love.