Initiation to the School-Age Phase

“In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”

I still remember like it was yesterday…

…when I prayed for the Lord’s guidance in helping us pick the right school for Edward. I still remember the hours of research – comparing tuition fees, class schedules, school policies, student activities, and parent involvement – among Catholic schools in the San Francisco-Daly City area.

…when I heard one of the announcements during a Mass at Holy Angels: “Holy Angels School is having an Open House!” We went to that open house, and I remember falling in love with the school’s family atmosphere and being impressed by the students’ amazing work on display at every classroom.

…when I uttered a prayer after Edward took his Kindergarten exam: “Lord, if it is Your will that Edward get his education at Holy Angels School, then Thy will be done.” I remember how my heart leapt out of my chest when I saw a small brown envelope from Holy Angels School, addressed “To the Parents of Edward Balingit.” And I remember the intensity of my emotions – the anxiety, the excitement – as Edison and I opened the envelope:

Dear Parents,
We are most happy to announce that your child Edward has been accepted (dot-dot-dot)

We didn’t even finish the letter. Edison and I just started rejoicing: The Lord is marvelous indeed!


I still remember like it was yesterday…

…the bittersweet occasion that was Edward’s preschool graduation: “It is sad because our children are saying goodbye to the place where all the magic of their learning began. But in just a few weeks, they will be saying hello to a whole new world called Kindergarten,” as I addressed the parents at the beginning of the ceremony.

…Edward’s first day in Kindergarten: Monday, August 27, 2007. I remember how my heartstrings were tugged in a thousand different directions as Mrs. Corral led her students to the classroom. On the one hand, I shared in Edward’s triumph as he beamed with pride and excitement! On the other, I got very emotional as I was shot back to the very first moment that I held him in my arms. It seemed like it was just moments ago when this beautiful baby boy was handed over to me by the doctor. Then all of a sudden, he was this little man, all dressed in his school uniform - eager… enchanted… engaged… the world of possibilities before him. I remember looking over at Edison and seeing in his eyes that we shared the very same emotion.

…the night of Parent Orientation. As the principal announced that the theme of the school year would be “Holy Angels School Lights the Way,” and as she encouraged us to “put Jesus first in everything that we do,” there was no denying that this institution was where the Lord wanted our family to be… and I thanked the Lord for leading us to Holy Angels School - I couldn’t imagine a more perfect school to call our partner in our children’s education.

I still remember like it was yesterday…

…the first Friday that Edward came home from Kindergarten and he brought his first work book, which contained every activity page that he did for the week. It had a front cover that featured their artwork of the week. And I remember being impressed by the “Kindergarten News,” which summarized the work that they did in the classroom from Monday through Friday; featured a classmate as “My Beary Special Friend” for two weeks; and outlined announcements and weekend homework. I have all of his workbooks in a file, like memories kept in my heart.

…our boy’s first performances that made us so proud: “Little Grass Shack” at the Parish Fiesta, “You Can Have My Room” at the Christmas Musical, and “I Want Candy” at the Spring Celebration.

…the Lenten lesson about charity that solidified my confidence with Holy Angels School, in our partnership in molding our children the way Edison and I have always envisioned.


I still remember like it was yesterday…

…our struggles as we were adjusting to the fact that we had to squeeze homework time into our regular family time.

…our realization that some weekends were simply not free anymore - those weekends when we had to prepare for Edward’s progress exams…

…“Bad Mommy Days” when it simply slipped off my mind that there was no hot lunch available at school today; or that the tee ball sign-up was due yesterday, not today; or that I couldn’t take Edward to the movie fundraiser - again...


Ah, Edward’s first official school year – the first year of my journey as a mommy of a school-age child. I had officially entered another stage of parenthood. Like any other journey, we definitely had our ups and downs. And just this morning, Edward was named the Kindergarten Student of the Month! Edison and I were beyond joyful and proud! We certainly couldn’t have asked the Lord for a more perfect way to cap the entire experience of our initiation to the school-age phase of parenting.

Dear Lord, I acknowledge Your power above all things. I praise and thank You for all the wonderful blessings that You have poured out to our family. May our story be a testament of Your love and glory - that if we indeed put You first in everything we do, then nothing is impossible.