Another Season of "Lasts"

Today is my youngest daughter’s first day of her senior year of high school. She is so ready! I am genuinely excited for her. And nervous. And a little sad. This business of parenting is incredibly bittersweet. A delicate balance of hanging on and letting go. At this point in the journey, it is mostly letting go. My mama heart is a bit overwhelmed today.

Another season of “lasts”… the last first day of school as a high school student, the last homecoming week, the last football game, the last Christmas concert, the last dance, the last day of school. So. Many. Lasts.

Don’t get me wrong- I fully expect this year to be fun with lots of great memories to be made. There will be hard work, a little chaos, and probably some drama. After all, this isn’t my first rodeo, folks. I’ve been down this road before. But, Bri is my last baby and there is something so final about her “lasts” of childhood.

Most of the time I look at her and I see her as the young woman she is now- beautiful, strong, smart, talented, taller than me. But every once in a while I look at her and I catch a glimpse of the little girl she once was and I feel my heart tighten in my chest. 

One of the most important lessons I have learned in my 45 years of life is to embrace each season as it comes along. So, in this season of “lasts,” I will lean in and be present for every moment. The laughter, the tears… whatever comes my way. I will take lots of pictures and try to soak it all in as I help my girl make final preparations for adulthood. After all, on the heels of a season of “lasts” is a season of “firsts!” And so it goes...

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." ~Ecclesiastes 3:1