Archive for August, 2010

I just saw the kids off at the bus this morning.  It’s the first day of school.

As the bus drove away I felt the mixed feelings that I’m sure many other mothers feel…

I am excited to be back to the wonderful routine that school brings.  I can’t wait to have kid free hours every day.  I can work or clean uninterrupted.  There will be no one for hours in the day to spill crackers or milk on my newly mopped floor.

But I also feel intense heartache at the unstoppable nature of time.  My children are growing faster than I ever dreamed possible.  There are so many things I want to teach and do with my children… so much I want to cherish.

So now I will put away the breakfast dishes.  I will work on my projects.  I will get cookies and milk ready for when they step off the bus, tired from a long first day of school.

I will sit down and hear about their day… and try to stop time, if only for a moment.

Several years ago when my son entered 2nd grade, his teacher, Mrs. Smith helped each child in the class make a small time capsule.  They cut a piece of yarn to measure their height, and traced their hands and feet.  At the end of the year it was amazing to bring out the time capsules and see the growth of each child.

My son’s string came only to his nose… neither of us could believe the extraordinary growth that had taken place over the year. I was happy and not just a little wistful to think of his growth both physically and emotionally.

As my kids get ready for the start of school in a few days, we are taking a little time to make a time capsule today.

We are not only measuring their height and tracing hands and feet, but my children are drawing a self portrait.  I am also having them write a few of their favorite things down on paper like their favorite friend, pastime, and food to name a few.

At the end of the year it will be so fun for a us to make a comparison and see how much they’ve grown.

But I can also look years ahead, to when my children are grown.  I can imagine how fun it will be for my grandchildren to compare their height at the same age as their mom or dad.