Pain

The new year is so exciting in so many way. For Anna the 'new' can be so intimidating, so un-nerving, so unsure, so painful and it shows plainly on her face. Many times she is perfectly happy alone. She prefers it. She is a one or two friend kind of girl, but this year her best friend and her other best friend and her other other best friend aren't at school (moved, home schooled and older with different recess/lunch). The pain comes when as a parent your baby burst into tears off the bus because she had no one to play with at recess (despite the fact her class mates from last year came up and gave her a hug) and she had to walk around alone - in her high heels (despite the fact that she did that many times last year out of preference) or that none of her friends are in her new class (despite the fact that none of the other kids know each other either). I know she will make new friends, I know she didn't get a personalized invitation to play but everyone would have loved her playing with them, I know she will be OK in a few days and walking around alone because she wants to - but for now, yesterday and today - that is pain...