Forgotten But Not Gone

I’ve been writing Carol's Colonial Chronicles for about 9 months now, which means I could call it my baby (I know TMI). But so apropo given that much of my blog has been about being a parent of a high school senior.  And this entry is no exception!

The last time I wrote was early May, just after the Class of 2016 accepted our offer to become GW’s newest Colonials.  I really meant to make an entry before now – note the title - but I discovered, surprisingly, that preparing for my only child’s high school graduation to be all consuming!

That's her, in the front row, far left

I spent the better part of May preparing for Haven’s graduation by strolling down memory lane.  Stepping into a time machine I (re)experienced Haven’s life through all her old school pictures, report cards, and school projects. I am neither the baby book keeper nor the crafty kind of mom but this didn’t stop me from creating several memory book albums.

Haven visiting GW at age 7

I have also looked back at some of my earlier blogs and how I reacted to Haven reaching the status of “high school senior”.  One of my favorite blog entries was “My Pity Party”. It was the one about when I just returned from Senior Night at her school and expected to be presented with a handbook on how to be “the best mom ever of a high school senior”.  I stated that I wasn’t ready (even if she was) for her to go off to college; I was shocked how soon my baby bird would be leaving my nest.  

If you remember, I leaned on the lyrics of “Once in a Lifetime” to help explain my feelings – “And you may ask yourself - well...how did I get here?”

I am happy to say that the graduation ceremony, the party, the family visits and the mother-daughter post graduation trip are now great memories to cherish.  Haven loved the memory books and photo albums I made for her.

My sister asked me recently if I cried at the graduation ceremony and I didn’t. It’s a lot less of an emotional experience with a graduating class of 624 students.  But I did break down the next day when Haven and I were in the car and a song from my high school days came on – Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. A song I've heard thousands of times, can sing by heart but didn’t pay much attention to until that very moment –

Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder, even children get older
And I'm getting older too

I love knowing she is ready for the adventures she’ll have at GW. Haven’s all grown up. And, I guess, I am too.