When I was young my birthday always marked the end of summer. The signs started a few days before early bed times,cooling nights and the dreaded back to school flyers. The change from carefree days would soon be replaced with hard plastic chairs, hours of clock watching and homework.
I never would have expected anything in life could be more difficult than the change from summer freedom to school days.
This year things have changed I no longer am a young girl trudging off under the burden of a new school year while butterflies still float thru the air. I am a mom and this is my daughter's first year of school. I started this summer with the excited thought that this is the year my baby becomes a big girl.
Slowly as the days clicked by from June to July we enjoyed a relaxing hot summer. The long days and endless hours of play made me realize just how lucky I am to be a mom.
August started in the usual way hot days with cool evenings and the sun started to make an early departure. I didn't really notice the difference until yesterday when it was in my mailbox the first Back to School flyer.My daughter examined the pages looking for just the right backpack.
"Mommy I can't find Ariel" she exclaimed. I felt my heart flop. No more Dora she is definitely a big girl now.
All those years I thought the end of summer was the best time for parents. Now I find myself wishing for one more year of afternoon tea parties and hours of Dora the Explorer.
This week when we celebrate our end of the season birthdays I will push all thought of school out of my mind. I can't promise dry eyes when the school bus comes maybe we will walk.
