With the addition of social media to our world, we all now get the privilege of seeing all the adorable Back-to-School photos of friends near and far. I particularly love all these photos, as they are truly mile markers in our lives as families, as kids, as parents. As a mama who has experienced years and years of “First Days of School,” I now know there are many stories behind the fresh tennis shoes, new backpacks, and front door smiles.
For some of us, it is pure, 100%, unadulterated relief that the kids are back at school. I read an hysterical post on Facebook last week from friend who admitted singing “I Got One Less Problem Without You” as she dropped each child off. Dying! For some, it’s a start of a complete new season of life…sending the first or the last child to kindergarten or college. Tears of relief and grief and joy. For others, perhaps it is a returning to work after being at home for years or off for the summer.
If you are mom of school-aged kids, no matter their age, the first day marks the beginning of a new chapter, another year passed, another inch closer to launching them into the world. And it’s so many emotions for a mom…exciting, terrifying, joyous, sad, lonely, yet connected in spirit to mamas everywhere.
For me this particular year, our “first day” today was good. Just really good. And I rejoice, because past years have been so difficult for me. Today, I did not come home and “go to pieces,” as my mom calls it:), all three kids were ready on time (miracle), they all walked themselves in (out of necessity since David was out of town), and none of my kids were “brand new” to their school district, friends, and Oxford. Thank.You.Lord. Nobody wants a repeat of moving to a new town and starting school 4 days later ever again like last August. Not recommended to a worst enemy.
I know for some of you out there, though, the recent “First Day of School” was or is going to be really, really difficult. I’ve been there. And I promise it gets easier. Especially if you are sending your first to kindergarten…or your last to kindergarten. I can’t speak to college send-off, but I am reading posts from veteran mamas who assure us that we’ll survive that, too. I have been praying this morning for all of us mamas…for God to reach down and rain down His grace for where we think we’ve not done enough, for tender mercy when it’s just plain hard, for comfort if we grieve them leaving, and renewed strength and energy if we’re singing Ariana Grand lyrics today.
Here’s to another “First Day of School” in the books!!
I’d love to hear what the “First Day of School” is like for you and yours. Have a great week.