One "Last"

When our first child was born, my aunt sent us the book, "Let Me Hold You Longer." by Karen Kingsbury.  It is the story of a mother looking back on all the "lasts" of her grown child's life.  The last time she held a bottle, the last time she rocked him, and on and on until the last time he drove away to start a life on his own.

Having a newborn, I found the book to be sad and depressing.  I did not understand why such a book, as well done as it was, was sent to us as a gift at the time of our first child.  Today, almost five years later, I still find the book sad and depressing but I understand why such a book was sent to us.  It is a reminder to never take any moment, no matter how small or routine for granted.

As I was making my daughter's lunch for school today, it hit me that this would be the last day of this routine.  There will be other days and other routines, but this would be the last time for this particular one.  Tomorrow is the last day of preschool.

The routine will be changed for tomorrow.  There will be the year end show and presentation instead of staying for lunch.  Instead of the same few parents or nannies who drop off and pick up the kids each day, there will be a school full of parents who will be there to enjoy the festivities.

All this is how it should be but this morning was the last time for the routine that has served us well since the beginning of September.  Preschool is ending.

There have been other "lasts" and if I am blessed to live a long life, there will be many more.  There will also be a lot of firsts.  When summer ends, there will be the first day of kindergarten and the first day of another routine but as dawn sets on this one, there is a little sadness at this "last".

"Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on a burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past
And I will be thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts"
from "Let Me Hold You Longer" by Karen Kingsbury