So I’ve been thinking a lot these days about the fact that this is the first year since 1995 that we aren’t engaged in back-to-school activities, fully immersed in readying the troops for a new school year. 22 years of making the mental and physical shifts from vacation-mode to school-mode, from bathing suits and flip flops to new clothes and cool sneakers, summer camps and ghost-in-the-graveyard to academics and extracurriculars.
As I sit here trying to recall as many of the ‘first’ days as I can for each of the kids, I can’t help but acknowledge the number of ‘lasts’ that I (sadly) don’t remember… the last time they napped on my shoulder, the last time they needed help tying their shoes, the last time I cut up their food, the last time we held hands to cross a street… These are the things we can’t possibly know in the moment. It’s not until time passes, maturation does its job, and we recognize, long after, that the kids are capable of x, y and z, independent of us.
The quiet, less obvious transitions in life, those tiny milestones that fly below the radar, the ones that fold into life with very little, if any, pomp and circumstance… the last time I signed a permission slip, the last time I secured a bow in the girls’ hair, the last time we made reindeer food for Santa’s most valuable players…
Maybe it’s a safeguard… Can you imagine knowing and acknowledging all the ‘lasts’?
The more I think about it, the more I like this system… I like that a child’s development – correction – a person’s development happens slowly and almost without notice until the obvious signs of growth appear.
Although most days feel like they’re zooming along at 1000 mph, I love how life reveals its most gorgeous blooms slowly and in the way that they’re meant for each individual.
That’s the glory of it…
Have a beautiful week, my friends!
Annie
XO
Beautifully written! Time does indeed fly and each chapter of life brings with it new memories and moments. Take care.
Thank you, Stacey! Love every chapter!
Wow, time flies! Love this post! No back to school activities, but now you can enjoy your big kids 🙂
You are absolutely correct! And you’re just beginning with that sweet little boy of yours! 🙂
What a beautifully written post, Annie. And a great reminder also — I will surely cherish each and every moment with my little one.
Cherish each and every one! Thank you, Anu! 🙂
As usual, such a beautiful post, Annie! That’s why it’s always important to be in the moment, right? Time does fly by so fast. I can imagine that though there are a lot of ‘lasts’, there will be a lot more ‘firsts’ 🙂 Hope your week is going wonderful, my friend! XOXO
It all adds up to beautiful! Thank you so much, sweets! Wishing you a lovely day! XOXO
A beautiful reflection, Annie. This takes back to a beautiful time. Thank you.
I know you’re in the throws of raising your beautiful family…Every phase is magic! 🙂
This was such a beautiful bittersweet post- your children are so lucky to have you as a mother.
Thank you, Ruby. Thank you.
Beautifully written Annie!! Although, I haven’t experienced all of this.. But I know, my mom has.. I am sure all of these are such emotional moments for parents.. We as kids, don’t even realize what we put u all through! But that is how nature an life takes its course ☺️. Loved reading this! Will look forward to more soul snacks!
Hahaha! I know – you darn kids have to go and grow up on us! 😉 It’s a beautiful thing! Thank you, my friend! I appreciate your kind words!
This is the sweetest post. I may have tears in my eyes right now!! My boys are still so little, but I can already count a few “lasts” that I’ll never experience with them again. You’re right in saying it’s a beautiful transition, but one that makes my heart ache a little! Beautifully written 🙂
Watching our kids grow gives us the happiest of heart aches, am I right? Thanks, Katherine!
You are a beautiful writer. This is so nicely said, although very sentimental! Have a great week
Thank you so much, Patrick! Have a wonderful week, my friend!
I’m tearing up a little over here. I think you’re right; if we were fully aware of the lasts we’d probably break down every time one happened. This is such a beautiful post, Annie! Have a wonderful week.
Thank you, Kelsie! Life is made of sugar and spice…
This post actually made me cry… a few days ago I noticed that my seven year old reached for my hand as we walked to the car from the pool. I wondered if soon he will stop wanting to hold hands. I think that I am erring on the side of being cognizant…Like in this poem, have you seen it Annie? https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0f/e2/fd/0fe2fdee85669f34ad557f04a6e64c98–mom-quotes-teacher-quotes.jpg
Awwwww, I know sweets. Hopefully you have a few more years of that, but I will tell you – all three of my kids are adults and there are still kisses hello and goodbye every time we see each other – and we’re never at a loss for hugs! Some things never go away! Thank you so much for sharing that poem – I had not seen that one, but will add it to my repertoire. Erring on the side of cognizant is a wonderful thing! I can tell you have a very lucky little boy!
Awww I love this post, Annie! Your writing is so calming to my soul, and I’ve always felt that the name “soul snacks’ for these posts was beyond appropriate! You know Boy and I don’t have human children (just the fur kind), but thinking about it, I’m pretty sure my mother couldn’t name any of my “lasts” either. I’d say it’s strange we are in such a hurry to celebrate the firsts that we overlook the lasts, but as you said, there is no way to know when the “last” something will be. I’m not sure I’d want to know all the lasts… seems like it would make me sad. Anyways, I hope you are enjoying the summer, and relishing in the fact that you aren’t forced to make a speedy transition! Cheers, my dear! XOXO
That means a lot to me, Cheyanne! And our fur babies provide such special memories of their own! Especially when they go by the name of Dolce! 😉 I like the rhythm that life offers…especially when we aren’t in a hurry for things to happen…to know that things happen in their right time brings a calmness to it all. I hope you’re enjoying your summer in your new beautiful home! XOXO
Love this edition of Soul Snacks Annie! This will be our last year with one in college. Can’t imagine what next year is going to be like when September rolls around!
August is a whole lot simpler! But the idea that you don’t have to make lists, pack up the car, help them get organized, etc….just catches you every once in a while. Thank you, my friend!
So true! I don’t have kids yet, but already see this happening with my sister’s twins. I’m sure it brings very mixed feelings!
You nailed it – very mixed feelings! But all wonderful! Thank you Sues! 🙂
I love your soul snack! And so true 🙂 I have one year of no child heading off to any school. This Sept will be the second. It has been a mind shift, for sure.
It really is… but also so awesome to have new experiences with our ‘big’ kids! Thank you, Jennifer!
You are so right, I think that safeguard is in place to keep you looking ahead of all the things to come! Beautifully written, Annie! I’m sure it feels strange to not be in back-to-school mode, but I’m sure it’s nice at the same time!
It is a bittersweet time, for sure…we miss those moments from their childhood but love the experiences that we now share with our adult children. Thank you, my friend.