A love note

When I was in grade school, I dreaded eating school lunch. My mom was always such a great cook, the sloppy, greasy food commonly served  at cafeterias in the 80's never appealed to me. I brought a lunch that my mom lovingly packed for me nearly every day. Often a small love note would be tucked in my lunch with the sandwich and homemade cookie. I always felt so special when I found these notes and knew I would do the same for my kids one day. I've waited 6 years and the day finally arrived last week that Maya got to bring a lunch to school. The kindergartners just go half day here, so she didn't eat lunch at school this year, but last week the kids got to do a practice run in the cafeteria.  They could either eat food from the cafeteria or bring a lunch from home. Maya chose to bring a lunch from home (I really tried not to let my bad experience with cafeteria food taint her experience, but I think it did). She helped me pack her lunch, then when she wasn't looking, I slipped a little note in her box, thinking of how much fun she would have opening it.

I was excited to hear about her lunchroom experience when she got off the bus that afternoon, but she told me she was the only kid in her class that brought a lunch from home, and she felt embarrassed, so she went ahead and ate school lunch with the rest of the kids. I hugged her and told her that she could eat school lunch every day if she really wanted to!

Later in the afternoon, she opened the lunch I packed for her, when she saw the little card she squealed and opened it. After reading it she said "awwwww!!" I love you too mom!! I'm going to keep this card forever and put it in my lunch every day, so I can remember how much you love me."

I'm sure someday her little girl will open her lunch and find a love note too. Thanks for your example Mom. I love you!