I see these two (and all the versions they were before) on their first days of school. I feel pride in the people they are becoming, worried at the challenges they will face, tender toward the ways in which I have failed them, hopeful that their individual strengths will continue to shine. I am grateful for the long years filled with memories that have lead up to these days that pass faster and faster. I have turned into the woman who says wistfully, “It goes so fast.”
It goes so fast.
It does go so fast. All of it, everything. I wish I could slow it down for you. For me. For all of us.
Your children are beautiful. Freshmen and juniors were my two favorite grades to teach. A lot of teachers I worked with didn’t like freshmen classes because they didn’t know what to do with their energy, but I liked it. (I mean, not every day. 🙂 But overall.) I liked teaching them how to do high school, unlocking doors for them. I liked that you could still see in them the children they once were (especially in the boys). And juniors were my very favorite. I had my most enjoyable teaching moments with juniors. They are really coming into themselves. They are working hard toward whatever their next things will be, but they are still where they are. You can really talk about challenging material with them. They grow so much over the course of one year.
Sending all three of you my hardest wishes for a good year.
Thank you, Rita, for your kind words and your wishes. As always, I am grateful for them.
I like the photos and how each kid is his or her own person. Time flies, as they say. But an addendum to that idea [that I saw on a meme this week] is that we’re the navigators. Hoping your year is smooth flying with happy landings.
Oooh!! I like that “we are the navigators” so much!! Thank you for sharing that with me. Appreciate your wishes for smooth flying and happy landings. I have my fingers crossed for both!
When my youngest was two, a woman approached me in the grocery store, and gesturing to my son, who was sitting in the seat of the cart, told me how fast it all went, and how much she wished she had known that at the time—how much she wished that she would have treasured her young children when they were young. I think if it had been my first-born in the grocery cart, I would have been too frazzled/overwhelmed/exhausted to take in her message, but because this was my third (my third with a six-year gap between him and his next oldest sibling), I kind of already knew how fast things were going, so I was able to take her words to heart and from then on in I was able to temper some of the really hard things that come with parenting. Last Saturday we moved our youngest into his university dorm room, and I honestly don’t know how 16 years can fly by in what feels like the blink of an eye, but I do know I’m still grateful to that woman.
I love the photos of your children, Kate. They are indeed beautiful.
Sending you love.
I appreciate that you could appreciate her message. I LOATHED it when I had two under two, because it sure didn’t feel fast at the time. Like almost all things we learn, we only get it once we get there, and now that I’m there, I understand it so clearly. Sending you lots of love as you enter this stage of mothering, Marian. Xoxo.
My sister-in-law, whose children were 6 and 7 when we had our first baby, would often tell me (i.e., when I was at that very early sleep-deprived stage of motherhood) how fast things go and how much I should be savouring all the special moments. I admit my thoughts towards her as she made these comments were not very charitable!
Marian,
I have been wondering how you’re doing and if you had begun that transition yet. Sending love and good wishes to you. I so wish we could sit with a cup of tea (or heck, a whole pot if it’s decaf) and talk about everything.
Ah, thank you, Rita. If only we *could* get together and talk over tea. I’m mostly ok. I try to remember it’s a good thing for my son to go off to university, but then I have moments where the sadness just hits me. I miss him, so much. I’m sorry I’ve been so quiet on your blog. I felt like it wasn’t my place (not being American) to comment on some of the things you saw this summer, and then your most recent posts have just hit too close to home. I knew if I tried to comment, I’d just end up sobbing all over my keyboard, so I’ve been trying to just keep busy. I’m hoping to pull it together enough to get back to writing, even if it’s only commenting on blogs. I really do value these conversations and I’d like to get back to contributing to them.
Sending you love and good wishes too, Rita.
No need to apologize, at all. The transition you’re going through is tough. At least, my experience of it was. I understand the mix of true gratitude and deep loss. I really missed my kids when they left, too. Profoundly. As for not commenting on America because you aren’t American, please know that I feel everyone has a right to comment on what’s happening here. What happens here affects so many people who aren’t here. But also: I think I understand what you mean. I feel reluctant to share everything I’ve thought and felt about the southern part of the country because I know there is a lot I don’t (can’t) know. I’m still processing. I always appreciate any “conversation” with you and am happy for whenever/however you can join in.
Hi Kate! I wanted to comment on your previous Tuesday blog post. I will right here for both.
You seem to have come out of the depression this Summer! Good good good for you!!
That chicken I think must have been at the fair where you found that delicious cotton candy. I love that chicken! I’ve never seen one like it.
The watermelon this year has been extra sweet and welcome even if you eat a whole one between two in a car! I ate a lot more this summer than any other.
Perhaps you can help me understand your daughter’s sticking out her tongue? I have noticed that she has done this in previous posts too. I don’t know what its meaning?
Lot’s of people all sorts of ages are coloring their hair pink, purple or green. I meet a lady this week in her late nineties who colored her hair the same pink! It’s not an age thing, but I want to know the meaning behind it.
As far as what I am reading: I just picked up a hard back large print book When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead at one of the take one leave one neighborhood libraries. I have no idea what it is about or if I will enjoy it. I need something to read!
Also Yorkie and I are back in our old house because the sell and therefore contingent purchase of the new build fell through. I learned that it was actually a gift that it fell through and it is best for us both to be back in our old house Home Sweet Home.
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