For the first time in 25 years, this is my back to school picture.
In the first years, gap-toothed kids beamed with excitement, and for the last few years, grudging teenagers have paused and given a "c'mon Mom, hurry up" smile at the front door. But this year, no one was rushing off wearing carefully chosen first day of school clothes.
WARNING!!!
This child will grow up if you are lucky,
and then will leave you if you are lucky,
and still, you will probably cry about it
There are some things I definitely will not miss about having children in school:
- the hassle of packing nutritious lunches with sandwiches carved into swans nestled in tissue paper and baby carrots wearing little hats made of olives - along with inspirational quotes hand lettered on papyrus
- Daily coordination and encouraging communication with teachers to make sure that my child is getting the best education possible
- Constructing homemade backpacks out of environmentally friendly handwoven linen
- Latin lessons around the kitchen table
(Okay, so I never did any of that,
except maybe the occasional olive hat on a baby carrot)
Today, I am feeling lucky but not sad
Because the last one is still here until
she's off to college in September.