Back To School Nostalgia

This time of year is always nostalgic for me.  A new school year marks the passing of time, a tangible measure of my children growing and getting older.  It is bittersweet... there is always an internal struggle between wanting my kids to be more independent and mature, and also wanting them to stay little forever.  

This year my girl starts middle school.  We are starting the school year with virtual learning due to COVID.  But we will be back on campus eventually.  And middle school... this is the cusp of adolescence.  All the teenaged angst and drama.  Peer pressure and academic stress.  And suddenly, I long for the days when my biggest worry was if she would take a nap or eat her veggies.  

The irony of parenthood is that you pass through each stage slightly myopic.  And only in hindsight, can you see clearly that the pains and hardships were actually the indelible moments that make up your memories.