Time Out to be a Mommy
I am taking a break today from travel-oging to write about being a mommy. Today my daughters returned to school--many of you have already done so, you know the drill...special outfit, extra time spent on hair and make up, I actually got up early to make breakfast and then photos. Boy, do we love photos around here! Then it's a mad dash to get to school because I took too many photos.
Well, this year is extra special because my daughter Eliza is a senior. Today was her last "first day of school." Today we made our last "first day of school" drive in Germany. Today was the last time I would be in charge of Eliza's "first day of school" memories. I've taken my last picture of her holding a sign up designating her year in school.
I totally believe we raise our children in order to send them off into the world to make their own mark, to make their own mistakes and to have their own successes with out the guiding hand of parents. Eliza is almost there. The next few months will be a flurry of activity with IB assignments and college apps due almost all at the same time. By February we will know if Eliza has gotten into her school of choice, April will be spent in the library studying for finals and by the end of May she will be finished and we will be embarking on an international move.
Parents in this position often say, "where did the time go?" I know where it went, I was there. I have not loved every moment of it, but as I sit here with tears in my eyes I am so grateful I've been able to be a mom, to be her mom. I am grateful that I had the time to be the keeper of our family history so I could pull out the photos from our last 11 "first days of school." I will close with the poem Eliza had to read this morning because I was too emotional, from Dr. Seuss of course.
"Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to great places! You're off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. YOU CAN STEER YOURSELF ANY DIRECTION YOU CHOOSE. You're on your own and you know what you know and you are the guy who'll decide where to go. You're off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!
Parents in this position often say, "where did the time go?" I know where it went, I was there. I have not loved every moment of it, but as I sit here with tears in my eyes I am so grateful I've been able to be a mom, to be her mom. I am grateful that I had the time to be the keeper of our family history so I could pull out the photos from our last 11 "first days of school." I will close with the poem Eliza had to read this morning because I was too emotional, from Dr. Seuss of course.
Beautiful post Brooke....
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