I can't believe Addie is starting her first full week of 1st Grade today. Wow. Where does the time go? I don't know who was more disappointed about school starting, Addie or me. There's something wonderful about summertime. A schedule is not something I require for daily life. The ease of summer days, waking up late and having leisure time is something we all enjoy. Our summer was terrific. There's also a realization when school starts for me about how much older Addie is getting. I know I should not be sad to send a healthy, bright girl to school each year. The years are just flying by, and there's no way to slow them down. I remember when people would tell me as I cried dropping Addie off on her first day of preschool, how fast the time would go. It has. Painfully so. I checked a book out of the library this past Sunday called, "Let me hold you a little longer" by Karen Kingsbury. It included a CD of the author reading the book. It's a good thing, because I couldn't read it myself without crying. The book says in the first pages . . .
Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave me to your past,
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts . . .
The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips. . . (insert weeping here)
The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip. . .
Let's just say it was ugly here, with Justin and I both getting emotional. Addie said, "Mommy, don't be sad, I won't go to college for a VERY long time." I know it's true we have 12 more years before we make that drive to college to LEAVE her there. Ugh. But, I also know how fast these first 6 years have flown. The book has made me appreciate all these last with the twins, and also hug my little girl tighter each day.
