That Day
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 10:19AM 
Taken with the iPhone and my favorite ShakeIt app.
This year I have a fourth grader, second grader, and kindergartener. Over the years I can't count how many times I chanted "how nice it will be when they're all in school". "How easy my day be when there's only one pick up location", "can't wait until That Day gets here".
Well, Monday was "That Day". It came obscured behind the ordinariness of alarm clocks and lunches, scrambling to find shoes and hair ties. It was all usually perfunctory until they rushed out the door and my chest tightened. It was something about all three of them together, a little team. Each one carries their own opinions, and nerves, and unique way of absorbing and interacting with the world. Suddenly it was confirmed that I don't have a baby anymore. I am no longer a mother with a baby and never will be again.
I wasn't wishing to go back. But I was fully absorbed by how fast it all came and went. The long nights, the play group politics, the frustrations of breast feeding, the trials of potty training. The moments that seemed eternal have vanished. And I was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. For how far we've come together on this journey, I was especially grateful for the piercing clarity that the following years will fly by just as fast. And I can only hope that I'll be fully awake and aware enough to be present for every bit of them.
Speaking of time flying, my teeny tiny little baby newborn boy somehow turned TEN this week. In an effort to stop procrastinating special moments, I added onto my life list #94. "Create New Traditions". Simple as it may be, this was my first attempt. We filled his bedroom with balloons the night before. Because what better way to start your birthday than a room full of happiness, just because you were born.
Tomorrow Jason's taking him to Nasa in Houston with the boy scouts, which means I will have to figure out something fun for the girls to compensate for the fact that they're not going to Nasa with the boy scouts. It also means that I need to cram about a weeks worth of work into 5 hours today. But what's new.
I leave for California for another quick trip on Monday. Probably won't be blogging, but I've been pretty decent at posting here. As a side note, I LOVE posterous. It's such an easy way to keep the moments of your day, like an effortless journal.
Some other interesting links.
I devoured these images of America during the Depression. Something about the color makes them more haunting, yet oddly familiar.
Kal's link to the recent documentaries might change the way you think, eat, drink, act. I know for sure we are never buying bottled water again either.
Maggie and Epiphanie and Photojojo are giving away quite the swag bag. There are almost 2000 comments, but you never know, so go enter! I was lucky enough to receive one of those Fuji Instax Minis at Laura and Maggie's party and IT IS SO FUN! Can't wait to post some of the images here, or do something cool in the house with them.
And that's all I can think of right now. Will try to pop in here more. For now I'm off to Zumba. Yep, you heard me. I'm on a kick again. Will let you know how it goes.
Reader Comments (6)
(If it isn't angina, it must be love.)
1. I can't believe that your baby is 10! WTF?
2. I can't believe all your kids are in school.
3. Yay - no bottled water!!
4. You are inspirational to me.
Love ya sista!
Vicki