Kindergarten

When Kathleen and I were in Kindergarten, a lot of stuff was going on in our lives. Our house was getting remodeled and we started Elementary School. However, something else happened that year, Kathleen got sick, really sick.

My parents had explained that Kathleen had an infection in her brain. So while I went to school, Kathleen and my parents went to a hospital.

My grandmother had picked me up from school that day because my parents were still gone. We all waited for news, sitting in the living room watching TV. Then, my dad came in. He said that they would need to stay longer. He asked me and my brother to get Kathleen's pillow and favorite toys.

I was happy to help, but I thought my father was dropping the stuff off and coming back. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. He said goodbye to me and my throat became choked up. Holding back tears, all I could do was nod. When he left tears flooded my eyes. They were quiet sad tears, unnoticeable to everyone around me.

I remember thinking, why can't one of my parents stay with me? This isn't fair! When will I see my parents again?

Anyway, in a few months Kathleen was fine, but that did come with some sacrifices. My sacrifices included spending less time with my parents and having my birthday party in the summer instead of
November like usual. We all have moved on from that time, but occasionally the feelings come back of complete abandonment. Then I realize, in the words of Poohbear "how lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

~Julia