Last First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school. It was also the last first day of school for our two boys. (When I told this to my younger son, he said, "What about college, Mom?)

Yes, college has first days of school, too, but yesterday was my younger son's first day of school as a senior in High School, and our family's last first day of school.

That's OK. I'm not sad about it. I love the way the were, years ago, with fresh boxes of crayons and pointed pencils, new notebooks and backpacks, crammed with school supplies from their "list," provided by the teacher. I remember taking time off work to go with them the first days, walking down the school hallway in the excitement of finding their names on the classroom roster beside their new school rooms.

But, I also love the way the are now, one of them preparing to go back to college and the other driving his car to Target to buy his own school supplies (OK, I miss picking out the notebooks with him, but there is something exciting about the idea that he did it on his own). I enjoy the almost adult conversations around the dinner table, as they tell us stories about their days and their dreams.

I love the way they are now, and I loved the way they were then. I wouldn't trade any of it. I'm not sad that time passes because tomorrow brings a new joy and a new excitement.

Yesterday was the last first day of school, and it just serves to remind me that time passes amazingly fast, and each moment can be embraced and treasured for the love and joy it brings

Morning Prayer

Today was Children's Sabbath at our church. Our sons were asked to participate in worship, along with the other youth of our church. All of them did a fanstastic job.

Grant composed and presented the morning prayer. He wrote it himself, and while I did read it before he participated in worship, I didn't change anything about it....

Dear God;

All of your children, big and small, young and old, boys and girls are here to praise you on this fine Sunday morning. On this Children's Sabbath your children have prepared themselves to worship you wholly in the way that they can the best. We give you our hearts, souls, minds and our strength, so you can transform us into what you need us to be. Let us do our best to put you before everything and praise your name. Call for us when we become distracted and lead us back to your path. We are all your chidlren, God, so please show us how to spread your holy name to everyone on this Big Blue Marble. We love you. We'll talk to you later, but right now we will pray the prayer that your gracious son taught his children....