First Days, Full Circle

The start of a new school year always sneaks up on us, doesn’t it? One moment we’re soaking up the long, slow days of summer—bare feet on the grass, sticky popsicle hands, laughter drifting through the warm air—and the next we’re standing in the school supply aisle wondering how the calendar flipped so fast. Somehow, time seems to fold in on itself this time of year, moving in a way that both fills us up and takes our breath away.

When my own children were young, I remember those bittersweet first-day-of-school mornings so clearly. The pride of watching them step into something new was always paired with the ache of letting go of the lazy days of summer. Those memories are etched deep, and though my kids are grown now, the feelings come rushing back as I watch my son and daughter-in-law experience them with their own daughter.

This year, my granddaughter is stepping into first grade—a milestone that feels impossibly big and tender all at once. I see in her parents’ eyes the same emotions I once carried: the joy of seeing her grow, the bittersweet tug of time moving forward, and the awareness that childhood is fleeting. It’s as if the cycle has come full circle, and I get to feel it all again, both from the outside looking in, and deep within my heart.

So, here’s to the start of school—with all its messy, beautiful feelings. Whether you’re dropping off your child for the very first time, watching them stride into middle or high school, or, like me, seeing the next generation take those steps, may we pause and hold these moments close. They remind us of just how quickly time flies, and of the wonder waiting for us in every season if we only stop long enough to notice.

Warmly,

~Wendy