Kissing Caleb's Hands...

My little Cubba-Bub has LOVED going to Kindergarden. About 4 days in when he got in the car after I picked him up he showed me a great prize. He proudly lifted his little fist to show me a slightly melted, very much cherished Hershey's kiss. He was one of only TWO kids who got one because they were the only two kids in the whole class that she hadn't had to correct, ask to pay attention, to sit down or be quiet in the four days they had been in school. He was SO PROUD. "Way to GO Caleb," I am thinking!
That was why it was such a surprise when the next morning at drop-off when he started sobbing hysterically and didn't want to go. I pulled over, started to get out of the car and walk him to the playground until I realized that Kellie hadn't put shoes on that morning and so I couldn't go with him after all. I did the only thing I could. I hugged him and sent him on his way, watching him sob and feeling like such a horrible mother. I came home, worried about him for a few hours...called the school... (yes I am THAT mother...) and left a message for his teacher.
He seemed fine when I picked him up that afternoon and his teacher did call me back that night. She assured us that Caleb was doing very well. He is bright, attentive, and helpful but when things get slow he starts to think about me and gets a little teary. Something that is perfectly normal, and should ease up in a few weeks once he's acclimated.
That's when we got out the Kissing Hand book again. (For those of you who have read this book, I am sure you see where I am going with this...) The book is about a young raccoon who is worried about going to school because he is afraid that he might miss his mother. The mommy raccoon kisses the palm of his hand and tells him that if he gets sad and worried while he is away to put his hand up to his cheek, remember her kiss and that she always loves him, even when he is away from her. The little raccoon even kisses the mommy's hand, so the mommy will know that he loves her while he is away, too. The book is the stuff Kindergarden literary legends are made of and is a blessing for all mothers with anxious 5 year olds.
So now every morning when I drop my little guy off he offers me the palms of both hands, which I quickly kiss before he hops out of the car.
"It really works, Mom," he assures me. "I start to miss you, but when I put my hand on my face the love just comes pouring right on out of it...like MAGIC!"
I am so glad he's doing better, and yet I can't help but wonder how long I'll be kissing his precious little hands every time he leaves me. I have a feeling that he'll stop wanting me to kiss his hands long before I'm ready for him to stop kissing mine.  We Love You, Caleb!