A single flower

Earlier this week, Queen of Spain posted about the annual ritual at her preschool, where the moms whose last child is moving on to kindergarten gets to march in front of the school at their Mother's Day celebration and accept a single flower. She is dreading it.

I could use that flower.

In six weeks, Sweet Pea will leave her elementary school. Fourth grade will be over, and she will be moving on to the intermediate school. Our eight years at the school will be over. Princess entered kindergarten at our school in September, 2002, and Sweet Pea started there in preschool in 2004. In the last 10 days, I've attended Sweet Pea's school talent show, 4th grade chorus concert, spring academic fair, and Special Person's day. Each event, a teacher or the principal mentioning the fact that this is the 4th grade's last time. How much they will be missed. I look at those faces, at my daughter's smile, and I can barely hold it together.

I left this comment:

I need a flower. My youngest’s time in elementary school ends in 6 weeks. The school that I’ve been a part of, that I love, that feels like a hug every time I walk through the doors into that hallway, will no longer be a part of our lives. I’d love that flower. At least I could officially cry with the other moms who are feeling the same thing. Rather than running into each other at all the end of year events, giving that knowing nod but trying not to make eye contact because in each other’s eyes, we know. It’s over.

I would love that flower.

~Happy Mother's Day~