Going from pulling thorns from children’s fingers to avoiding the thorns on roses is a definite change for Dawn Patterson Moeser. On December 30, Dawny’s Day Care officially closed its doors.

Now Moeser is embarking upon a new routine. First will come school in Colorado and then the opening of Hometown Floral & Gifts, slated for sometime in March. The change comes after 24 years of working with children, eventually hosting Kimball’s only preschool and daycare.

She spent the first two decades in Gering. Moeser operated her preschool/daycare for many years from her home before moving into a center--much needed when her child count increased to 78. When her husband, Kevin Moeser, was transferred to Kimball, Dawny’s Daycare and Preschool followed, ending up back in Moeser’s home.

There it remained for four years.

Now after 24 years and countless runny noses and cries of “that’s mine,” she manages to smile when recalling all the moments that make up a career with kids.  There are memories of little items finding their way up little nostrils, rolls of toilet paper throughout the bathroom and down the hall--”Oh and all those drawings” Moeser said with emotion.

“I will never forget little Justin and his dinosaur picture,” she recalled. “We were working on the letter D and drawing a dinosaur. I walked around looking at the children’s masterpieces when I came to Justin. He had two things on his paper and one was big with spiky hair. I asked him what kind of dinosaur it was and he informed me emphatically that was me and the little one was the dinosaur. See that is your spiky hair!”

I still laugh over that one,” Moeser said.

Moeser’s daughter, Rachel, who grew up with all the commotion, would participate as well. During one of the art sessions she was seen working feverishly on her drawing for almost an hour. Moeser asked her what her picture was and she informed her mother she was drawing God.

Moeser smiled and told her daughter no one knows what God looks like.

Rachel, not skipping a beat in her drawing, stated matter of faculty, “well they will when I am done!”

The daycare brings so much from children, laughter, tears, silliness and growth. “It is truly amazing to see these children grow,” Moeser explained. “I have been so truly blessed by each and everyone of the children that have come and gone through my daycare and preschool. All the firsts! Like first words, first steps, and even the first cherries up the nose.”

“I will always treasure all the memories from these past 24 years deep in my heart,” she said.

As for the new business, it is a passion Moeser has had for many years. She loves art and design.

“I have a wonderful team of supporters and we are all so excited about our new adventure,” she said, beaming.  “The Ag teacher and students at Kimball High School are building us a wrought iron sign for the new business, and KYOY radio will be there for our opening in March.”