Mea Culpa

I’m sorry.

To all of the office staff at all of the schools through all of the years, I humbly apologize.  For all of the times I have filled out a form and trusted that you could read my letters and numbers and quickly-jotted information, I am sorry.

For the phone calls with weird requests, for any of those times when I came in at lunch or right after lunch or any time that every other parent comes in, I am sorry.

For those times when I forgot to send in a note, or my children didn’t bring it back, mea culpa.  For those times when the children folded the notes into teeny little squares, I apologize on their behalf.  For any marks/scratches/tears/scribbles/or smears of dirt, I beg your forgiveness.

I’ve been told that I have been a reasonably responsible parent. I’ve tried to help the schools that help our children.  I’ve sent notes, made phone calls, asked questions and tried to follow rules.  For the most part, I did not immediately think the school was at fault when there was an issue, especially a discipline problem. 

But I know, as I decipher and unfold and reassemble these notes, I have most definitely not been perfect.  I know now that each of these notes added just “one more thing” when the pile of papers was already tall.  I know that crinkles and wrinkles and even dirt are the norm when grubbly children’s hands have touched these missives from the school.  This week I’ve seen crayon and dirt and pink ink and grease/glue/godonlyknows on some of these little notes, and it makes me wonder what joys my own children have given their schools over the years.

So, please forgive me.  

I love it when they have little ones at home. :)