Bittersweetness

Summer ends

and it is a

mother's day.

Mostly,

you don't see dads

posting the 

back-to-school

pictures

on facebook.

{Although my dad was always the back-to-school photographer}

Mostly, it's the moms.

Remembering all those 

mom-moments.

Like Tom's first day

of kindergarten

when he got off the bus

after school

he literally had a new voice

of confidence and knowledge

that I had never heard before.

And Sydney's 

kindergarten waiting for the bus moment

when she said,

wiggling,

"My feet are excited!"

How can you be with them 

all summer long

and they did not seem

like they had grown up

until they put on school clothes

and backpacks?

They bicker and pester all summer long

and then

the "all business" kicks in as

big brother and big sister

 show the ropes

to the kindergartner.

Who was proud and excited

and ready to launch.

I stole a kiss

from my courageous

sass-a-frass

who was all about being part

of the "club" with her cousins and siblings.

She didn't look back

but just was a big girl

all the way

all smiles

and 

anticipation 

and at last . . . 

not with fear,

not with tears,

not with nervousness,

just

look-at-me-go-Mama

pride,

she looked back.

And that's just

how we want it to be,

yes?

Bittersweetness.

Train up a child in the way they should go . . . 

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~

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All photos property of Jodene Shaw 2012.