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Emily Parnell
on Jun 16 2013 - 06:00 AM
Eating fresh, local produce is good for body and soul
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Jim Cosgrove
on Jun 13 2013 - 06:00 AM
I just want to buy some pants. Please, turn down the music.
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And as I peer into that little crystal ball of mine, I also see my oldest roll his eyes, say, “come on, mom, quit,” and nudge me away. He’s not much for emotion, that one.
Come tomorrow, I expect some of the same. Probably in the morning, around 8:30 when I stand in a cutely-decorated classroom, the tears will start streaming. So hard, I suspect, that I will bite my lip intensely to keep them contained, and blood will be drawn.
And remember the crystal ball? I see my husband roll his eyes, too, and say, “come on, Laura, quit.” Not much for emotion either, but sometimes I suspect it’s so he doesn’t follow suit.
Then there’s Wednesday. Yep, there’s a possibility I’ll choke up then too.
Man, who thought the first week of school would make me such a hot mess? (Unfortunately I fear some hands just shot up.)
But, I do have a teenager starting high school. A moment he’s been waiting for since he was 8 and one I’ve been dreading for years before that. So tears are justified, right?
And, I do have a freshly-turned five-year-old starting Kindergarten. I’m sure he’ll be the youngest in his class, since he’s only been five for just eight days. Did I mention that he’s never spent the whole day away from home in his whole entire life and he’s signed up for the ALL DAY class?
So yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m allowed tears then too.
Anyone who ever asks about the decade-long age difference between our boys, always gets the same response from me.
I LOVE IT.
When youngest started to talk, oldest started the whole voice-change thing. When oldest stopped believing in Santa Claus, youngest figured out who he was. When oldest grew out of Disney movies, youngest was all about them.
I mean, of course I wouldn’t recommend to just anybody the route to the decade difference I took. Rocky marriage. Crazy divorce. Single momhood. New husband. Advanced Maternal Age (You can’t even say that without whispering, BTW. All the nurses do it.)
But once we were here, it was great. A little like Peter Pan and the whole not growing up idea.
Until now. I realized it’s always been give and take. Sad about oldest growing up, happy youngest is still young. Sad that oldest doesn’t want a birthday party, thrilled that youngest talked about his for months. I like it that way.
Now, in one week, I’m getting the double whammy. Sad on top of Sad. Not good.
Sad about oldest growing up, sad that youngest isn’t so young anymore. (I’m reading The Kissing Hand this week, not for him, but me.)
So yes, I’ll be a hot mess Monday and Tuesday. Expect it. Embrace it. Take pictures of it.
But why Wednesday, you ask. Why get all crazy emotional that third day?
Well, I likely won’t cry, cry. Just get a little tickle in my throat that you know could eventually prompt tears, but you won’t let it.
I’ll be in Joplin, watching thousands of students go back to school after a summer none of them saw coming or ever wanted. Kids who lost parents will go back into the classroom. Teachers who lost everything will stand in front of their class and feel whole again. Parents will drop their kids off, a little like normal, and think, ‘Yeah, things are going to be all right.’
Now, that, I think I can handle. It’s what some see as a happy ending. Or new beginning. It's not so much sad as it is touching.
But my Kindergartener and my high schooler? Going off to school, their new beginnings, on back to back days?
Oh what a hot mess I’ll be.
You got me misty and I'm not a cry-er. Awesome blog, Laura. Congratulations on this week--you will get through it like the caring woman you are--sensibility and compassion-- tears are just a by-product.I have a kindergartener this year, too. If I were you, though, I wouldn't be able to quit crying in Joplin. I'm a big sap, though, but don't think I'll have any trouble with my kiddo starting on Wednesday.Sorry to say it doesn't get any easier just because they get older. There always seems to be some grand accomplishment that forces the water works. A graduation, first car, prom night, off to college.... Get used to it.Oh mara rose! you just had to mention "prom night". sniff, sniff. LauraB, why are you going to be in Joplin on Wednesday?OK. One crying day down and one to go. And on Wednesday, I'll try to just choke up a little. ... Sahmiam, I love the by-product rational. I'm going to use that on my husband. 83hwy, I'm headed to Joplin to cover the first day of school. Should be at the senior high school most of the day. The people down there are pretty amazing.You'll get through it. We all do. Mine hit me when he was finishing first grade. Now he will start 10th. High school wasn't that big a deal. I will be looking for your next piece on Joplin. I have gotten to where I can pick your stuff out in the first paragraph and that just makes me want to read more. Good luck in Joplin. I know the piece will be your usual out standing work.Amazing blog once again, Laura. As I'm known to cry at commercials, I am completely with you on the tears. I have permanent nail marks on the fatty part of my palm, where I pinch to try to stop the tears in public. :) Hope all went well for the first days, and that today is a beautiful start in Joplin. Can't wait to read your story!
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