Back to School.
Today was back to school day for my teenagers.
It’s always such a bittersweet day for me.
On one hand, I’m happy to get back into a routine…and have some silence.
On the other, it marks a moment in time of being one step closer to having my little birds fly from my nest.
I have taken “first day of school” photos from the moment their tiny fingers left my grasp to enter into the preschool building.
Miss Sunshine wasn’t sure if she was riding to school with a friend. When she discovered that she was, there was a mad dash to collect her backpack and race out the door.
I grabbed my camera to snap a photo before she raced away. But I forgot that I had been playing with the camera the day before and the settings were completely incorrect for this shot.
So I quickly tried to switch to auto mode for one last chance…
I didn’t make it.
I’ve already told her, that after school she will have to pose so that I can to collect my memory shot.
However, for me, this photo sums up this phase of my motherhood.
This releasing journey.
This passage of time.
Like a river flowing.
Movement.
Fighting the distractions as I try to breathe these moments into my soul.
My children are becoming more and more independent.
As they should.
I am keenly aware of the marking of days until Big Mr. will leave the confines of high school. I have heard that his Senior year will fly by.
And as it does, those days will sweep my other two children along as well.
Suddenly, we will be at the precipice, looking out at the horizon, and my first bird will be flying. And from there, Mr. D will see his moment. He will be there in eager anticipation knowing that he is only a year behind. And also while on that precipice, even Miss Sunshine will see the changes. A brother leaving, the other one planning his flight, and her entering into high school.
Too soon they will no longer be my little birds.
This fleeting phase of motherhood coming to an end.
I think about that future…
Who will they become?
Who will I become?
But for today, I will breathe and sit with the present.
Let your light shine!
Amy
Goes by way too quickly, doesn’t it? 😕
It sure does!!
That image of Miss Sunshine captures how fast and chaotic the morning rush to school can be! I don’t miss that, but miss my children being little everyday, but adore who they’ve become. It is as you said, “bittersweet”.
That morning rush does tend to get chaotic! It is definitely a bittersweet experience…this raising of children. 🙂
We were invited to dinner at a friend’s house a little while ago – their children had already all gone to University, or moved out. THEIR HOUSE WAS TIDY!! We talked about it several times during the night – laughing that we have that to look forward to 🙂
TIDY is definitely something to look forward to! And 2/5 of the laundry and dishes will be a strange, but delightful change of pace. lol.
Oh, this touched my heart and made me all teary. Our eldest has just given in her high school enrollment form for next year! It does goes so so fast..
Awww.. I remember that moment Dee. And this year it will be my youngest selecting her high school classes. It does goes by so fast, but it’s so awesome to get to take part in it. xo
I hope it was a great day for all!!
It was. Thanks!!
Yes. *sigh* It’s like that.
Shiny times though — past, present, and future 🙂
It is. We are finding the groove. I’m hoping for it to be less chaotic than some school years past. I’m easily distracted, so I’m working on spending more time in the present. 🙂
I never like the years my kids are in different schools. When there were 3 in 3 different schools was my worst year. :/
Even Sassy mentioned this the other day, she feels more comfortable when Moo’s in the same building and on the same bus home. :/
I hope y’all have a GREAT year and I feel like you’re going to love the present 🙂
Back to school a day of excitement knowing they are going for a bright and successful future and then thinking they will leave soon.This is how I will sum it. Hopefully they will have a bright future, when their mummy will be praying for them to become a beautiful, successful person in and out. Much love to mommy <3
Thank you so much for your kind words! <3