The Welcoming Committee

We are a family that can’t seem to be late no matter how hard we try. Even if we dilly-dally for thirty minutes or more, we are ultimately always early to events or to meeting other people. I guess it’s a good thing that we are punctual (or what it really means is that most people do not know how to manage their time). My husband says that being on time is one of the ultimate signs of respect. I can understand that because if you are ‘on time’ to meeting someone it means that you are considerate of their time. It could mean you just want to get there to see them (if you like them, it’s a respectful thing), too.

This tendency towards punctuality manifests itself in our daily school routine as well. We have to drop off my daughter by 8:20 am. We are almost always the first parent/child set to arrive. (Trust me; we have tried to waste time in various ways but we always get there before the majority of families.)  In order to kill time while we wait for the class doors to open, my daughter has taken to watching the staircase to see which of her classmates is coming up the stairs. (It’s cuter than it sounds.)

One of the moms christened us “The Welcoming Committee”.  Mind you, it’s mostly my daughter who is excited by the appearance of her ‘friends’. I’m a quiet observer. However, I will validate my daughter’s announcements.

M: Mommy, it’s J!!!!!!!!!! (Names have been made into initials to protect the innocent)

Me: Yes, it is J. Say ‘good morning’!

Moments later…

M: Mommy, mommy, it’s F!!

Me: It sure is!

A few weeks ago, the mom who ‘baptized’ us sent a note saying she missed the “Welcoming Committee” because her child had been out of school for a few days. It was a very sweet gesture. When the child returned to school after convalescing and my daughter announced the arrival, you could see that the child had missed this enthusiasm while out sick.  The mom said that we were performing an important role. 

I guess everyone at some point wants to know they are welcome.  So being early has a number of advantages. (Getting a seat for a sold out movie is one that immediately comes to mind.)  I guess if we can’t be late, we can let others know that we are happy to see them. It also makes others feel accepted and wanted and isn’t that what we all want in the end?