As I was cleaning up from the day, I noticed these papers sitting next to each other on my kitchen counter. The one on the left is Mr. E's kindergarten homework, a monthly calendar that gives you one little task to complete each day. Things like "Count the number of beds in your house." or "Write your name on a piece of paper." or "Tell someone your telephone number." The papers on the right are PK's registration materials for his sophomore year of high school. We had gone through them that afternoon and finally had an idea of what classes he should take next year. That was stressful for me because he has only 3 more years until he graduates and we were trying to see how we could squeeze in all the required credits and still take seminary and still be eligible to attend a university if he wanted to and still take a couple of classes that would prepare him for his future career. Which meant that he felt like he had several major life decisions to make before he could fill out that piece of paper. Yes, really, really stressful for both of us. I felt like he had to grow up and make grown up decisions right then and there.
So, that evening as I came across those two homework assignments laying side by side on my counter I was stopped in my tracks. And I cried. There, staring me in the face was a reminder that my kids are growing up and have life ahead to face. A reminder that time has flown by with super-sonic speed. I remember when PK's homework consisted of writing his name. Not just a distant memory, either. I remember it like it was yesterday. It really feels like it was yesterday. And now we're planning the rest of his life. People tell you over and over while your children are young that time will go by so quickly. It really does. Sometimes I am so good with that. All of my children feed themselves, dress themselves, and are generally pretty independent. And that is a good feeling. But when I'm not needed in those areas, there are other areas when I'm not needed as well. They have their own interests, their own opinions and will create their own futures. While I would not have it any other way, it is a little sad sometimes. What I really wanted to do after discussing PK's high school career is just have him count the number of beds in the house and then climb into one and go to sleep without a care in the world.
I guess I'll just have to enjoy helping Mr. E count the beds and savor every super-sonic second of it.
3 comments:
That is sad thinking of those two papers next to each other. Those are some big decisions to make.
I remember that the last semester of my senior year I took a class called "Career Explorations." We basically took different personality tests the entire time and at the end of the class the computer took all my scores into consideration and said my #1 profession should be a pastor and #2 a flight attendant.
Erin, isn't Primary President similar to being a pastor and a flight attendant? Walking up and down the aisles and teaching the gospel sounds like it to me! :)
Oh Lisa,
I love,love,love you view of things. I had thought that same thing when I realized that I would have three of my four in High school next year, two driving and dating. AAAHHHH What to do. My sister said the other day she doesn't know who my children are any more because they are so not looking like children.
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