School Days – A Look Back

About a month ago, we took our only child to start his last year of college. I never thought about it much at the time. It wasn’t until we were on the way home that it hit me. This is the beginning of the end.

I couldn’t help but think about his first day of summer camp when he was 5. It was a day camp that was a week long at the school he would be attending for the next 13 years. We got out of the van and walked up to the registration table. Got his name tag and the teacher pointed out the playground where she would gather the kids for his camp. He turned and said “Bye Mom” and walked away. It was the first time he called me Mom, not Mommy. I just made in back inside the van and down the street before I had to pull over and cry. I will never forget that day. The pain of letting him go, and the joy of seeing him walk away without hesitation. My 5 year old little boy!

Lower school was grades K-5 and there were two hallways. One side was the little kids, the other side the big kids. The library was in the middle, playground, science and arts buildings in the back. The campus actually contained the middle and high school, but our little corner of the world was compact and perfect. I spent days helping out in the classroom, library, meeting other moms for coffee or lunch. My day seemed so full and he was growing taller and taller. He shared his day on the ride home from school. When I would drop him off in the morning he would call back Bye Mom Love You! My 10 year old boy!

By Middle school, grades 6-8, he was taller then me, shy at times, and out going other times. Had his first crush, attended school dances, played sports, preformed in theater and hung out with friends playing video games. My day changed to allowing me time to get things done at home and work part time. It was busy as I juggled practice schedules, school projects and home. He was more confident and talked about his class choices. On the occasion I was in the school he would smile and wave. My 13 year old boy!

By High School he was just at 6′, seeing the world thru the lens of a camera. He was creative and sweet. Couldn’t wait to get his license and buy his first car, have his first summer job and his first girlfriend. My day changed again. This time it wasn’t so busy and easier to plan time with friends, dinners out, and time for myself. I thought this is great! He did college tours and applications, proms and planned for graduation. After performances or sports games he would always come and find us. My 18 year old teenage boy!

Now he unloaded the boxes in his dorm room one last time. This year he has a single, all to himself. With his mini fridge, his favorite pillow and blanket. He talked about what his subject matter would be for his senior Independent Study, his study abroad he did this past summer, and signing up for job fairs and trying to get interviews. We set up what we would do on Graduation weekend and over the summer. He is in his cousins wedding in June, we have a family vacation planned in July and then it’s over. On May 11, 2020, my son will graduate from college. Hopefully, he will have a job and be ready to spread his wings and fly. Just like we have encouraged him to do. I get a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. His girlfriend is there and they have plans. My 21 year old young man.