Dear Diary,
Today I got up early so I could fix my kids breakfast before their first day of school. It is a nothing short of a miracle when I realize that I have 2 that are seniors this year and my baby girl is a sophomore. Normally, I have to pull them out of bed in the morning. Threaten at least twice before they actually get up and get moving. But not today. Today there was a different energy; almost an excitement, in the air. Before I could even finish cooking breakfast, my son was downstairs, fresh pressed, smelling all good. He is one that genuinely takes pride in his appearance. “Thank you, Mommy,” he said, as he fixed his plate and proceeded to eat it standing up in the kitchen. My pleasure, I thought to myself. Baby girl drifts down the stairs next. Most comfortable in jeans and tennis shoes, she reminds me of myself at her age. Not quite girly, but unable to be classified as a tomboy, I realize they are all slipping away from me very quickly. I can remember when she wouldn’t do more than pull her hair back into a sloppy ponytail and this morning she sports shiny lipgloss and has applied mascara that makes her beautiful almond shaped eyes almost jump out at me. The oldest makes her way down finally and once they have all eaten, they take pictures of one another; posing and showing of new clothes and new shoes. I decide then and there that we will document this year as much as possible in photos. Life as we all know it will change very soon. It is the oldest that tells the others how to pose, where to stand. She is so bossy and mother-like, I wonder what it will be like when she is out on her own and no longer such a driving force in our home. They are all taller than me now, with bigger breasts and bigger opinions. Where has all the time gone? It wasn’t so long ago that I had to pick their clothes out, comb their hair and make sure they had brushed their teeth and put deodorant under their arms. I used to think it was a chore, but now my heart aches for those moments when they really needed and depended on me because I know I won’t ever be able to go back. I guess I’m just missing them the way they used to be. Before they grew hair up under their arms. Before they started liking the opposite sex. Before they grew into little women and a little man. I guess I just miss them before they grew up.
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