Today marked another first day of school. Our little girl started second grade.
She jumped out of bed this morning without any prompting. Her light-brown swayed as she announced, “Momma, I am heading to the shower.” Bundled in her towel, she walked to her room and slipped on her uniform that she laid on her bed the night before. I sipped on my coffee and waited. In the past, she always asked for help to put on her socks. That question never came this morning. Instead, like dominos falling in perfect succession, she brushed her teeth, put on her socks, retrieved her lunch box from the fridge, and grabbed her water bottle. Prepped and ready to go, I felt a little emptiness, realizing that as each day passes, she needs less and less help for her daily routine.
She is, as she reminds me, everyday, seven and a half. And of course, she is not a baby anymore. Seven is still on the cusp of magic, but with a greater understanding of the real world. Seven is all about asking questions. “Momma, do unicorns really exist? Momma, I don’t understand, what does this word mean? Momma, why do I have to eat that?” It also means doing back bends in the middle of the living room, attempting cartwheels on grass, and dancing to Taylor Swift tunes in the middle of a store. She has strong opinions on what clothes to wear, how she wants her hair done, and what shoes are the perfect match for her outfit.
It is an age full of exuberance. She likes to twirl around the room and give random hugs when you least expect. Instead of coloring in books, she makes notes that usually say, “I love you, Momma.” Picture taking is a must and her eagerness spills like a waterfall at every turn.
I ask, “How did this happen?” To say it goes by so fast really under amplifies my emotions, as she climbs the ladder from baby to toddler to girl to teen to a woman. Pinching myself, I am in awe, a mixture of happiness and sadness swirls around inside of me.
As we walked together to her classroom, she squeezed me hard, but her gaze was directed toward her friends.
Then in an instant, it happened. She let go.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
The final line in your post really captures it all. It really is like that. They hold you tight and then – bam – they’re off…to their friends, to their next adventure, to their first love. I clicked over from Facebook, where I also saw another friend in CA posting about her daughter’s first day of school. Where I grew up we didn’t go to school until September, and the weather had noticeably cooled. School starts in August for us too, when it’s still shorts weather and the smell of the beach is still in our hair. It’s going by too fast. I’m actually already thinking ahead about plans for middle school (!!).
Your daughter is adorable. I hope she loves second grade!! It’s such a wonderful year. It’s sweet because you’ll have both feet in innocence and budding maturity.
They sort of slip away from us and into themselves. As sad as it is for parents, it is exactly what is supposed to happen. Treasure the moments of time together.
My second grader starts Thursday. I’m going to be a wreck.
I love her picture, her eyes shinning with anticipation. I hope second grade is amazing and that she loves every moment.
My 2nd grader starts next week…and he is my baby!! I love this age…so exuberant like you said.