When I walk into Staples, I am instantly aroused. The pencils, the pens, blank notebooks, sticky notes, whew! I love all of it. So, naturally, going back to school, or now getting my kids ready to return to school, is a very exciting time of year for me. I love making resolutions at the start of the New Year and I am a sucker for the promise of new blooms in Spring, but Autumn rings true as a time of new beginnings for me. I feel most invigorated and most inspired as the leaves begin to show signs of turning colors and the crisp scent of fall wafts through the air. This year, I am wide open, eager to welcome whatever this fresh start brings.
I have also been feeling nostalgic as my son Alexander prepared for kindergarten with great anticipation of joining his older brother, James, at "his" school. We do drop-off, as opposed to riding the bus, and today, when he leaped out of the car, I don't think he could have been any happier. He was thrilled this morning when I confirmed that he would be going back to school today. So anyway, the other day my mom came over and we listened to some of her saved voice mail messages from the past (please tell me we are not the only saps who do crazy things like save old messages). With her summer tan aglow and her blue eyes sparkling, she said, "oh, this is one of my favorites." I listened as my very own voice began to speak. I was crying. I said something like, "Hi Mom, this is Anna (sniff). James started kindergarten today. He got on the bus and he didn't even look back (sniff, sniff)..." So many things came to mind. First, the image of my husband Dan and I coming home from the bus stop that day and literally sobbing together on our love seat. Second, disbelief that that little kindergartner would be entering fourth (say it with me, FOURTH!!!) grade this year. And third, both disbelief and disappointment that my dad wouldn't be here to share in Alexander's first day of kindergarten as he was for James. I pictured my mom sharing the message with my dad and both of them reflecting on the fact that their first grandchild was ready for kindergarten. That he got on the bus and didn't even look back.
I know, I know - my dad is still with me. I do know that, I swear. But even with that knowledge, I yearn to hear the enthusiasm in his voice when I share these bits and pieces of my life with him. I want confirmation of his pride in Alexander, and frankly, in me. He was a great cheerleader, my dad. He would be (is) so proud.
With all my anticipation of a new beginning at the start of the school year - for my kids and for me, I find myself feeling sad too. And as with so many things I've experienced since losing my dad, I find that this is a time where bittersweet is about the best we can do. Do I sound like I'm whining?
Enter miracles. Yesterday was the first day of school and the morning was filled with miracles. I got up, showered, and made a delicious, nutritious breakfast for my little ones (as opposed to throwing a granola bar and string cheese at them with five minutes left before we have to run out the door). Then, I marched them outside for a First Day of School photo shoot. Nobody complained (I began to think something strange was afoot, bud didn't dare question it). Everybody smiled. Everybody posed. I was in Mom Heaven.
We got in the car and Somewhere Over the Rainbow was playing on the radio. This has to be one of my all-time favorite songs. I was a somewhere over the rainbow kind-of girl as a child. The Coffee House version, by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole' has become one of the songs that remind me that my dad is always here with me and it has come on the radio at the most opportune times. As we pulled out of the driveway, we stopped to talk to our new neighbors. They were sweet and smiling and my heart was simply singing with joy. Then I heard my dad's voice singing. My daughter had found my husband's iPad on the floor of the car and somehow found her way to my dad's recordings. AND, he was singing Summertime, which was my lullaby when I was a little girl. Let's not even get into the fact that I have no idea how the iPad got left in the car, or how Sophia could have possibly found Summertime, especially since she usually goes right for Beyonce's "I'm a Singlet" video. At that point, I knew my dad was speaking to me.
Sophia said, "This is a Papaw song!" Putting to rest my fears that my little girl, who wasn't quite two when my dad died, would have no memories of her Papaw. Then she said, "Mama, my butt is shaking and my legs are swinging!" I look back to see her moving to the music, Alexander glowing, and James clapping his hands and swaying his head back and forth. I was in awe. There was no doubt in my mind that my dad was with us. I so much as heard him say, "I'm here. And I'm proud."
Later, I told Alexander that I wanted to tell him something very special. He looked up at me with his big, blue eyes and I said, "I have been really sad that Papaw isn't here to see you start kindergarten because I know he would have been so proud of you." He nodded and I continued, "And today, when we heard his song, I knew he was with us and I know that he is very proud of you." Heart-melting smile from ear to ear on that kid. God, I love him. There must be so much wisdom in that little five year-old head. And even later, when we got in the car to attend his orientation, These Are Days was on the radio! This was the song that Dan and I danced to at our wedding. And through the years, it too has come on the radio when I've needed comfort the most.
So that is my morning of miracles. Later, when I was feeling extremely disgruntled, along with my tired out, over-stimulated children, and trying to get dinner together, a penny from heaven appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the counter. Nope, we didn't save a life or cure a disease yesterday morning, but we were definitely in the midst of miracles. I spoke out and someone "up there" was listening. This all reminds me that we are always surrounded by miracles. Big or little, there are messages for all of us, everywhere, saying "you are never alone. I am here with you." And all of that makes me even more excited for this new time of new beginnings...what's next?!
I have also been feeling nostalgic as my son Alexander prepared for kindergarten with great anticipation of joining his older brother, James, at "his" school. We do drop-off, as opposed to riding the bus, and today, when he leaped out of the car, I don't think he could have been any happier. He was thrilled this morning when I confirmed that he would be going back to school today. So anyway, the other day my mom came over and we listened to some of her saved voice mail messages from the past (please tell me we are not the only saps who do crazy things like save old messages). With her summer tan aglow and her blue eyes sparkling, she said, "oh, this is one of my favorites." I listened as my very own voice began to speak. I was crying. I said something like, "Hi Mom, this is Anna (sniff). James started kindergarten today. He got on the bus and he didn't even look back (sniff, sniff)..." So many things came to mind. First, the image of my husband Dan and I coming home from the bus stop that day and literally sobbing together on our love seat. Second, disbelief that that little kindergartner would be entering fourth (say it with me, FOURTH!!!) grade this year. And third, both disbelief and disappointment that my dad wouldn't be here to share in Alexander's first day of kindergarten as he was for James. I pictured my mom sharing the message with my dad and both of them reflecting on the fact that their first grandchild was ready for kindergarten. That he got on the bus and didn't even look back.
I know, I know - my dad is still with me. I do know that, I swear. But even with that knowledge, I yearn to hear the enthusiasm in his voice when I share these bits and pieces of my life with him. I want confirmation of his pride in Alexander, and frankly, in me. He was a great cheerleader, my dad. He would be (is) so proud.
With all my anticipation of a new beginning at the start of the school year - for my kids and for me, I find myself feeling sad too. And as with so many things I've experienced since losing my dad, I find that this is a time where bittersweet is about the best we can do. Do I sound like I'm whining?
Enter miracles. Yesterday was the first day of school and the morning was filled with miracles. I got up, showered, and made a delicious, nutritious breakfast for my little ones (as opposed to throwing a granola bar and string cheese at them with five minutes left before we have to run out the door). Then, I marched them outside for a First Day of School photo shoot. Nobody complained (I began to think something strange was afoot, bud didn't dare question it). Everybody smiled. Everybody posed. I was in Mom Heaven.
We got in the car and Somewhere Over the Rainbow was playing on the radio. This has to be one of my all-time favorite songs. I was a somewhere over the rainbow kind-of girl as a child. The Coffee House version, by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole' has become one of the songs that remind me that my dad is always here with me and it has come on the radio at the most opportune times. As we pulled out of the driveway, we stopped to talk to our new neighbors. They were sweet and smiling and my heart was simply singing with joy. Then I heard my dad's voice singing. My daughter had found my husband's iPad on the floor of the car and somehow found her way to my dad's recordings. AND, he was singing Summertime, which was my lullaby when I was a little girl. Let's not even get into the fact that I have no idea how the iPad got left in the car, or how Sophia could have possibly found Summertime, especially since she usually goes right for Beyonce's "I'm a Singlet" video. At that point, I knew my dad was speaking to me.
Sophia said, "This is a Papaw song!" Putting to rest my fears that my little girl, who wasn't quite two when my dad died, would have no memories of her Papaw. Then she said, "Mama, my butt is shaking and my legs are swinging!" I look back to see her moving to the music, Alexander glowing, and James clapping his hands and swaying his head back and forth. I was in awe. There was no doubt in my mind that my dad was with us. I so much as heard him say, "I'm here. And I'm proud."
Later, I told Alexander that I wanted to tell him something very special. He looked up at me with his big, blue eyes and I said, "I have been really sad that Papaw isn't here to see you start kindergarten because I know he would have been so proud of you." He nodded and I continued, "And today, when we heard his song, I knew he was with us and I know that he is very proud of you." Heart-melting smile from ear to ear on that kid. God, I love him. There must be so much wisdom in that little five year-old head. And even later, when we got in the car to attend his orientation, These Are Days was on the radio! This was the song that Dan and I danced to at our wedding. And through the years, it too has come on the radio when I've needed comfort the most.
So that is my morning of miracles. Later, when I was feeling extremely disgruntled, along with my tired out, over-stimulated children, and trying to get dinner together, a penny from heaven appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the counter. Nope, we didn't save a life or cure a disease yesterday morning, but we were definitely in the midst of miracles. I spoke out and someone "up there" was listening. This all reminds me that we are always surrounded by miracles. Big or little, there are messages for all of us, everywhere, saying "you are never alone. I am here with you." And all of that makes me even more excited for this new time of new beginnings...what's next?!
