Would have been, should have been

You would have been, should have been going to school,
I would have been, should have been playing it cool.
Bursting with pride and scared all the same,
Letting go of your hand, teacher calling your name.
I hope up in heaven, it’s still your first day,
With other angel children you smile, dance and play.
Another milestone I know, this one somehow feels tougher,
There’s hope of next year with your rainbow wee brother.
Would-have-beens, should-have-beens is life now it seems,
Might-have-beens pondered only in dreams.
Good luck to the children starting school tomorrow,
Cherish each moment, their joy’s now to follow.

A therapeutic poem I wrote to cope with the first day of school photos – they seem to be everywhere. A truly amazing milestone, but for some parents it can be really tough.

For everyone whose child should have started school this week, I hope you are coping OK x