Today is the beginning of the end of the very special time in my life of raising my two boys.  Later this afternoon, my older son will graduate from high school and although I am fully aware that I am not the first parent to experience my current emotions, they are new to me. This summer for him will be full of work with his first job, seeing friends and getting ready for college, and on the last weekend in September, we will move him to college.

September 5, 2001: First Day of Kindergarten

June 11, 2014: Last Day of Instruction

Nine months ago when he brought home the registration packet for the new school year, it said "Senior Class of 2014" and it struck me that a date that his Kindergarten teacher had said to all of us new parents in 2001 had arrived.  When she told us that they were the class of 2014, the date seemed so far into the future, so remote that thinking about it wasn't an option.  I had a five year old and a three year old to love, teach, feed, chauffeur around and play with.  Where did the time go?

Making the choice to be the person who was around for them all the time while they've been growing up has been the most rewarding period of my life.  My younger son still has two more years of high school to complete so my job is not over yet, but having my older son move out will change things for all of us.  I will be forever thankful to have experienced the last 18 years (and the next two!) with my boys.

June 8, 2014 Baccalaureate Ceremony

Wish me dry eyes this afternoon!
Ciao~
Susan