Friendship According to Rose

My Rose

She just started 3rd grade at a brand new school and for the first time in her life had to be "the new kid". She clung to me when I dropped her off in the morning, but jumped off the bus that day with a smile. She told me she loved her teacher and her new school, "but," she added with a sigh, "I didn't make any friends." As she continued to tell me about her day, she mentioned a nice girl who told her she liked her shoes, another who ate lunch with her, and still another who talked to her on the bus. I told her that it sounded to me like she'd made lots of friends. "None that are official," she said. Evidently Rose needs a notarized contract.

On day 2, she once again sprinted off the bus, this time waving a paper in the air. "I have a friend!" she yelled. She excitedly read me a note written by a girl from the bus, asking her if she'd like to be friends. Since it was in writing, Rose felt it was official.

But she still had several little girls in her class she wanted to get to know. Yesterday Rose told me that one of those girls, Camille, was also now an "official" friend. It wasn't in writing, but it was a close second. Camille had asked her to play at recess.

"That's wonderful!" I said. "So what did you guys play?"
"Oh, we didn't play," said Rose. "I told her 'no thank you'."
My mouth fell open.
"Mom, sometimes I need my alone time."

Don't we all.