"The Newbie"

I spotted him from the street as I walked up the path to the playground behind school. In his jammies, hair a little ruffled, dazed and very confused. It was clear this was his first time at pick up, and he had just been released from his corporate duties in corporate world.

Leaving him alone, I observed him from afar. He didn't know where to stand, with whom, how, and where to go next? His wife must have given him instructions upon the bell ringing, as he didn't leave his post until it finally rang at 2:47 real life time. (I call this real life time, as for some reason even with my clocks set 10 minutes fast, the school is 2 minutes behind, so that puts them 12 minutes behind, however, my car clock seems to be gaining time and is 12 minutes fast, so school is 14 minutes behind...it all makes sense to me, try to explain that one to your husband.)

Once the bell rang, he positioned himself pointed towards the exit door, from which I assume the instructions suggested. Holding his coffee cup in his hand, a mug from home, because in his mind ventures to Starbucks have ceased, he glanced around and caught my eye. I waved, not knowing him, or his children, unless his wife was around, I nodded. "Welcome to the new world" I thought to myself.

His children came storming out, thrilled that Daddy was picking them up. They dropped their book bags and ran for the playground to continue focusing their energies on their peers, and not Dad. He hung his head, as if he had once again been rejected. "In good time," I thought again to myself, "he will come to understand this and the relevance of this time." I have, and I love every minute of it.

Welcome newbies, it's not a scary world, but a sacred one. Enjoy this time, relish the conversations with those you didn't know existed. Sip your coffee brewed from home, it tastes so much better.