Yes, I am still here...

I work today and have to get ready in a few but time is simply swooshing bye so quickly this year. Our son, Stephen graduates from College in about 1 month. We are planning his graduation gifts and it simply takes me back to pictures and glimpses of time. How exciting this time is when one passes another milestone. When in college, one has their foot in youth and one foot in adulthood. Stephen is on the top step about to take the leap to walk forward in life and make his mark. To graduate from college brings back my college memories and the doors I walked through and left a mark after achieving "on paper" the milestone that set me for success. It can be scary, but at the same time it is an overwhelming feeling of, "I DID IT!" I am proud of him and I know that he will be successful in his walk that will lead to many levels of steps. There is only, "up!"

"Time," is that thing that flashes by in seconds and then the moments one reflects upon after new wrinkles, a few gray hairs, many fashion statements, and melodies that take you back when heard on the radio...seem to be more important later rather than in the "real time" in which they were happening seems to brush by ones face as if to say, "look back." Remember that?

I am "officially" middle aged and I know the saying that is going on right now that "40" is the new "30" and so on...but really? No. To go back is not an option. To change the path one took is not an option. To change the direction of the path taken is the conscious choice to make a difference. How precious time and memories have become after embarking on what is the precipice of life. It is simply to live the best life that one can have.
The control and choice is in the decision maker.

Reflections can be melancholy or "happy lines!" I choose the path/direction of "happy lines." They are well deserved.

It's My Birthday and the 1st Day of School!

WOW, this is the first time I have been in our new home, alone. It is quiet except for the sound of typing on my computer. I must say, it is very nice indeed. We awoke this morning with great joy as Brianna starts First Grade this year in a new State, City, and School. She is really excited and was determined to pick out her outfit for the day and accessorize it all on her own. She also chose her new haircut. She said she wanted shorter and "sassy." She was all too eager to walk to the end of our driveway and wait for her new bus. As we approached the end of our driveway you could see parents lined up taking photos and the "brotherhood of fathers" enjoying the new beginning of learning. I must say, it was almost like stepping back into the "Leave it to Beaver" days. Everyone was smiling and you could hear laughter throughout our street. New clothes, book bags, and yes...extra bags to carry those much needed supplies requested by their teachers. I recall many "first days" of school throughout my educational experience and the smell of all of my fun supplies that would assist me in my creative learning and education. I also remember many days of the "first" in a new school whether it was the beginning of a school year or being relocated to a new base where my father was stationed. It is the butterflies and flutters that fill ones stomach and the anticipation of meeting your new best-friend. As Brianna's bus pulled up in front of our home I could see a little twinge of shyness and as her bus driver threw open her window and said, "come on around and mom you can take a picture if you like as well." I guess she is used to us "shutterbug moms" gathering every monumental moment in our child's life. That made me smile! The bus was at least a 1/3 full of anxious and excited children. The moment of independence and relying on manners, survival skills, and ones own personality without the "eagle eye" of their parent is in full speed now. It is a right of passage for students. It is the beginning of growth and coming into your own. It is these milestones that we reflect upon as years pass and we share with our own children. It is this time when life is full and each day brings challenges with great success. I can recall the fresh paint smell of school and smiles that everyone had on my first day of school. I hope that Brianna has a wonderful first day in FIRST GRADE. I hope she soaks in every detail and recites her memory of "firsts" when she comes home. It is hard to let her hand leave mine...but I know she will always be my "baby."