Today was "back to school" for our girl Kayla, now a high school sophomore. At 15 3/4 years old, she is now quite the young lady. As her mom texted: "Back to reality, back to school! Our baby is no longer a baby!"
It seems like just yesterday Kayla was a bright eyed little girl on her first day of pre-K. No longer! For the past 11 years, I've greeted Kayla on the first day of school. This year, t'was the exception. She, in her wisdom, concluded that back-to-school as a sophomore woudn't be quite the same as in previous years: just (hundreds of) kids gathering, milling around, reconnecting...
Yep, her mom and I got the picture...just as my mom got it when I, a kindergartner, two months shy of my 5th birthday, announced to her on my third day of school: "It's OK Lilly (that's what I called her); I'm a big girl now. I can walk by myself to school." My mother said her heart sank and yet, she had to let me go... (I suspect she may've discreetly followed at a distance).
I think I know how my mom felt.
I do plan to "be there" when Kayla moves into college ... and aren't those shoes too cool?! Not quite one's sensible, sturdy oxfords.
Cheers~