I'm not sad, okay I'm sad a little

 This week, as I scrolled through grad pics on Instagram, I was happy to see kids I've watched grow up finally make it to that big day that marks the end of a huge phase of life when your parents are there, guiding you every step of the way, and the beginning of a new, exciting and scary phase when you step out on your own and start steering your life in your own direction, usually having no idea what you're doing. 

I don't have a High School graduate this year. Mya just finished her junior year. Dan and I have been talking about how excited we are to finally have 2 schools to drive to instead of 3. I really didn't think about the fact that this year would be our last at Stanton Elementary. I like to think of myself as not too sentimental or emotional like other moms. I see them crying and wishing their babies would just stay little forever. I welcome the growing and changing. I look forward to the day when Dan and I can enjoy retirement. 

Yesterday, the school invited all of the 5th-grade parents to watch their students parade around the quad while the younger classes cheered them on and gave them high-fives. An elementary grad walk if you will. All of a sudden, I was talking to another mom and Forever Young by Bruce Springsteen blared through the speakers and I caught a glimpse of Angus and I couldn't finish my sentence. It hit me all at once. This is my baby and this is our last day here at this amazing school. I wasn't prepared to be sad about it but there I was trying to hold back tears as I watched my 11-year-old make his way around the quad, one last time. 

I started remembering all the Halloween parades in that very same quad when Mya was little and dressed up like a little angel with a crooked halo, and Winter was always a jaguar every year. Angus threw on the first thing he could find, usually. And I laughed to myself when a memory of Addie dressed up like a chicken came back. She was so angry because people were calling her a chicken. The nerve 😄 Stop it, stop it I said to myself. I am not getting emotional. 

Then one of the teachers who taught all four of my kids was urged to walk behind the 5th graders because this was her last year too. I watched her, walking & bawling. Everyone clapped, acknowledging her retirement and the wonderful teacher she has been for so many years. That was it for me. Too much. I can no longer say I am not emotional or sentimental. I'm just like all the other saps.

Bye-bye Stanton Elementary. Thanks for an amazing 11 years. We'll actually miss you a lot.