Penny started talking about kindergarten over a year ago. She's like her mom. She likes school.

But lately the reality has set in. She seems to know that going to kindergarten marks a rite of passage. She'll move from a 3 hour school day to almost 7 hours. There will be more kids in the classroom. Less playtime. Higher expectations.

A few weeks back, I said, "Pen, today's your last day of pre-school. Guess where you're going next?"

"Kindergarten," she said. But she didn't say it with the ringing intonation of excitement I've come to expect. She didn't meet my eye.

I took her into my lap. "What are you feeling right now about kindergarten?"

"Will you come with me?" she asked.

"I'll come with you the first day," I said.

"No, I mean, will you come with me a lot?"

I held her tight. "Sweetie, what is it?"

"I'm worried I will be lonely."

I didn't speak for a long time, but then I said, "You'll make lots of new friends in kindergarten."

I know she'll woo the teachers and therapists even though she can be impulsive and forget to listen. I know she'll learn things at her own pace. I'm eager to hear about music class and art projects and time outside. But I share her worries that she'll have a hard time making friends. I worry that the other kids won't notice her, or that they won't understand her when she talks, or that they'll be able to run so much faster or they'll simply be so much bigger that she won't fit in. But I'm also encouraged when I think back to the summer, to the ways she's started to play with other kids, to assert herself a little bit, to speak up and look for ways to jump into the fray. I'm encouraged when I think of a friend whose daughter is still talking about playing with Penny, a week after they first met. Actually, I'm more than encouraged. I'm hopeful. I've been praying for Penny to have friends, and to have one close friend, since she was born. I don't know how those prayers will be answered this year. I'll keep you posted.