First Day of School

I am at a loss of words today..feeling a bit blue..watching my little man stand tall as he enters the class..and my daughter..so strong and brave..even when she holds on to my hand..looks me in the eyes and whispers..I'm ready.

First Day of 3rd Grade


First Day of 7th Grade



"The Moment" by Margaret Atwood

The moment when, after many years
of hard work and a long voyage
you stand in the centre of your room,
house, half-acre, square mile, island, country,
knowing at last how you got there,
and say, I own this,

is the same moment when the trees unloose
their soft arms from around you,
the birds take back their language,
the cliffs fissure and collapse,
the air moves back from you like a wave
and you can't breathe.

No, they whisper. You own nothing.
You were a visitor, time after time
climbing the hill, planting the flag, proclaiming.
We never belonged to you.
You never found us.
It was always the other way round.

As always,
thank you so much for stopping by




Comments

Lori ann said…
Oh dear Cat, this reminds me so much of Kahil Gibrans poem about children.

I know exactly how you feel, it makes a tear in my eye just thinking back. Looking at your beautiful confident children tells me that you've done a wonderful job mothering them. They will do well, because of the beautiful mum you are.

The last of my 5 is leaving on saturday, 5 days away, for university. I am not sure i'll even be able to write on my blog about it. Our nest is empty. sniff,sniff. Waaaaaa.

Enjoy all your precious moments and good luck for the new school year! (you start so early!)

love,
lori

p.s. ALL you artwork is just gorgeous!
Oh Cat....be brave. Children growing up and becoming their own person is both a blessing and a curse. It zings a mama's heart so.
Mine are 36 and 34 now...and I still would love them to be here at home, and under my wing!
Sigh....these days are so precious.
Live 'em, and love 'em all!
Sea Witch said…
Know how you feel. It always touches my heart to see them leave for school on that first day. New backpacks, fresh paper and pens and pencils and crayons, new lunch bag and all the trimmings. Now I see photos of my grandchildren doing the new school shuffle. Sea Witch
Kass said…
I cried at the first day of school every year.

Your children look ready and full of confidence.
Oh, Cat! Some years, I feel like it's ok, ho hum back to school Yet some years feel really huge, as though we are on the cusp of a year filled with change and wonder.

Peace and love to you and to them as they make their way!
Shannon said…
Oh, Cat! That lovely poem gave me goosebumps!
I am already dreading the beginning of the school year. My littlest one, my sweeter than sweet little man, will be starting preschool. While I am looking forward to free time that I have not had in many years, it still makes me sad.
Debrina said…
Well Cat - a big day for all. Sounds like the biggest day in fact was for you!
Riki Schumacher said…
Hi Cat, what a wonderful post. Oh, they grow up so fast. Your son looks so excited, and your daughter is looking so confident. They'll be great! Hugs, Riki
Cindy said…
Oh my, school starting there so soon?? The summer came and went too fast! I know you treasured all of the many moments though. Just hard to believe it's time to start a new year. Your two are adorable on their first day. I completely understand the feelings you are having...I get that sad feeling too on the first day especially. And btw, I have a rising 3rd grader too!
Junibears said…
I so loved your post! Your children look beautiful and confident! My daughter always cried on the first day back and often on the first day of each week!
I've been through all that and now I am looking at my little great grandson who will be starting 'big' school next month.
And I thought that poem was glorious...
Hugs
June xx
Victoria said…
Ok, that made me really sad!!! They are still little tho so you have lots of fun years ahead:) My boys are 16, 18 and 20 now, makes me sad but I'm trying not to spend too much time focusing on how fast it went by:(:(:(

My best friend always tells me, in her cute little Latin accent Veektoreea (that's how she says my name) we don't own our children, God only lends them to us for a while. It's the truth!
Happy back to school! They grow up so fast! I still have a little over 2 weeks until I must report back...summer went so quickly!

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