That's Just the Way It Is...

(humming Steve Winwood's song...)

The other night Sam and I went to our oldest boys' football game. It was against our rivals. We lost. Sigh...I hate it when that happens. Those boys were so bummed...

But that has nothing to do with this post. Except that another mom and I were talking about the fact that our oldest are now freshmen in high school. And we were commiserating the fact that our firstborns were in kindergarten just a year ago. Well, ok, it was longer ago than that. But it seems like last year. And they were so little! And now they're so BIG! And they just don't want their mamas showing up on the first day of school to hold their hand and walk them into their first class. And you know what? That's just the way it is. Life moves on. Kids grow up.

Us parents grow up, too, right? I mean, look back to when I first held that newborn. I don't know about you, but I was SOOOO young. Even at 29. Even though I had waited 7 years for that first baby. I was clueless. And now that newborn is a FRESHMAN.

Here he is sooo long ago...

And here are Sam's boys--now a freshmen and a 6th grader!

This is my sixth grader...sigh...where has the time gone?


This sweet guy of mine is now in fifth grade. Man how he loved that Buzz Lightyear.
Carried it with him everywhere. Saying, "To infibbidy and deyon!"


And my baby. Now in second grade. And THAT is just too hard
to fathom. I'm tellin' you, it was YESTERDAY I was walking around
with him in a baby sling...

I know there are plenty of you out there who are thinking, "Been there, done that". And I know this is just another phase of life. But what we all have in common is that mother-instinct that makes us so wistful as we realize how quickly life passes by.

A very sweet friend called me to share her heart with me. Her firstborn started kindergarten. It was his first day and she was home all day just dying to know how he was doing. I was so privileged to share that moment with her. To remember that feeling of wanting to be right there with them and experiencing their first school day by their side. But for some reason, the teacher just doesn't want us there. Like we would get in the way. Or help them with everything. And we would! Because that is what we have always done up to this point. And now all of a sudden we are just supposed to let someone else be their instructor and nurturer. Without us there to see that it's done right!

So we have to wait...for them to come home and tell us about their day. And hopefully we get more than, "It was fine." Hopefully we get some details. Like how much fun it was to make new friends. And that their desk is right by the bathroom "just in case". And that Thursday is ice cream day. And, by the way, that they LOVE school!

And then they get to high school. When we have to acknowledge, very reluctantly, that they are moving toward adulthood. And independence. And driving. Ask Dawn. She'll tell ya!

So, as I hum the song, I realize that I have to accept that we all grow up. And I will trust God that He will protect and guide my children when they are out of my care. Because He promises to keep them in His care.

And that's just the way it is...