BACK TO SCHOOL FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME

Well, it is that time of the year again:  cooler days are in the air and it is time to go back to school.  But for our little family, we are going back to school for the very first time.

I have five kids altogether, and only one is still young enough to live at home with me.  The rest are off to college and living their own wonderful lives.  I have spent many years homeschooling my kids and absolutely loving it.  I will always treasure the time I have been privileged to spend with them.  It has definitely been a treat to be with them for their milestones, their laughter and their tears.

But times they are a’changin’!

This year my 14 year old daughter is heading out to school for the very first time.

High school!

She will be loading up her backpack and I will be dropping her off, and life will be different than it has ever been for us.  We are both definitely ready, but there is a tiny ache in my heart that longs to keep things as they are.

Isn’t that the way it is with all change?  Even though it is good, and you know it will work better, there is still a part of your heart that hangs on to keeping things as they are.  Even if those things aren’t working all that great.  Homeschooling just isn’t in the picture anymore since I am working, and we don’t have the same homeschool support around us like we did in previous years. If I kept it up, it would be just my girl and me at home together all day long.  And that’s not a workable picture for this time in life.

So, back to school for the very first time is where we are headed.

And I am so glad she is feeling brave.  And even though I am feeling brave I know I am gonna pull away from the drop-off spot and come home and cry a few (or more) tears.  A very special part of my life and my kid’s lives is officially over.  We will most likely not be returning to the way things were.

And I think it’s gonna be great.

Once my  heart says it’s OK to let go….