Grateful Heart – First Day
Today I will be sending my last little baby off to her last first day of elementary school. I have seen so many people sad about the last day of elementary and, rightfully so, but let me tell you this momma is feeling grateful. I counted back and for the last 19 years I have sent a child off to elementary school all but 4 years. It has been a pleasure and an honor but I would lie if I said I wasn’t feeling a little grateful that it is coming to a close. Let’s just take a little walk down memory lane, shall we.
It was 1996 and this little girl could not have been more excited! She had been staying with Ms. Verna at an at home daycare since she was one and she is wearing the sweet little school bus earrings Ms. Verna gave her. I had to beg her to let me walk her in the first day! Jordan loved school, loved learning and I was so grateful she was blessed with such a kind and loving kinder teacher.
Flash forward three years and it was 1999 and it was Riley’s big first day. We had been building up for weeks trying to prepare this boy for the big change. Maybe the “jorts” and wife beater t-shirt was a bad choice on my part looking back. I did not have to beg him to let me walk in with him but instead ended up prying him off of me once we reached the classroom. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do to leave him in that classroom! I held it together until I left the class and then I quickly fell to pieces. I’m so grateful he was blessed with a male teacher who seemed to have been sent straight from heaven. He identified so well with Riley and oh my goodness how this child bloomed that year. Growth!
2007 and Mr. Dillon was ready to go! We parked a block from the school and he walked ahead of us and kept looking back. We reached the stop sign and he finally said “why are you coming?” Knife right to my heart! He quickly learned that Mom & Dad were going to be there with camera in hand for every milestone….end..of..story.
The very last time all four of my babies posed for a first day of school picture. This was the beginning of Jordan’s senior year and I’m so grateful she was still willing to be part of this tradition even though she didn’t have to be at school until 10. She totally understood how important this was to me to have this memory and I’m so grateful.
And then there were three. I’m not going to lie. This was one of the hardest years for me to actually see in a picture how our family dynamics were changing. Time does not stand still and as much as you would like to keep the kids home under your wing forever it is not the way life is meant to be. I’m so grateful for the time I was given to mentor and love on my kids.
Carly Jo had been waiting for this day for what seemed like her entire life! She was ready for kindergarten much like Jordan was. She was ready to learn and grow and become her own person outside of our family unit. Boy did she ever! A kindergartner and a senior in high school…it was a crazy year to say the least. I’m so grateful my littles have been so flexible because there were many late nights out at baseball games and a frazzled mom many mornings. I am grateful these two littles really never seem to notice.
Had to share this one. Grateful, grateful, grateful that Dillon is a protector for his little sis. This is the only year the two of them will ever be in school together. She totally gets on his nerves so much but then I see him walk by and kiss her on the head or kid around with her and I’m just so grateful to know they have a special bond.
And then there were only two babies left on my doorstep.
And they are growing ever so quickly, almost in a blink some days.
We have been so blessed by so many wonderful teachers through the years. In the past 19 years I have seen how the years in elementary school have so much influence on these children. I know teachers at every level care for their students but at the elementary level the teachers have so much more one on one interaction. Those babies still need them so much to be more than just a teacher in the classroom.
I know the years will continue to pass quickly. Heck, I only have four more first day of school pictures and Carly Jo will be posing alone! I’m not going to lie, she may have been waiting on that day for like forever. Ha! But truly, when you break it down these angels are only ours for a spec of time. I can be sad but it will not stop time. Instead I want to be grateful and soak up every blessing; both the good and the not so pretty. I want to live every day hoping to make a difference in how their future will play out.
{Don’t be jealous of early morning picture & great lighting….8th grade means early morning football}
Jordan, Riley, Dillon & Carly Jo…..you are my greatest treasures! If I have blessed you at all know that you have repaid me 10 fold with your smiles, your hugs, your laughter and your accomplishments. I am forever grateful God saw fit to make me your mom!
Linking up today here.
