Today is the first of many milestones.

As you move from one place to the next in this life, we will adorn you with costumes and surround you with ceremony.

Each of these moments will be attempts on our part to teach you the simple truth to which so many of the grown ups in your life have had to unwillingly submit.

Nothing lasts forever.

We are always moving forward.

You can only fill a cup that has been emptied.

I know that you were scared about today.  I know that even though you are so small and your understanding of the world is so new, you knew that today was the end of something.

I know of the tears you cried as you realized that this day would be the last time that you would see all of your friends every day of the week.  I was brave for you, but my heart broke a little, too.  Moving forward is so important, but that doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly hard.

Despite the complicated nature of today, though, I saw you laugh today as well.  I saw you put aside your fears and smile and wave at us from the stage.  Don’t worry, your eyes said, I’m fine.  I’m happy.  This is fun!

And so our hearts lifted up and we cast aside the momentous and serious lesson in this milestone and you, as you always do, reminded us to soak up the joy of this moment.

Yes, nothing stays the same, that’s true, little ones.

But today you reminded me of another truth that I will be sure to remember in the many milestones that will follow this one.

As we walk through life we pick up little gems of goodness and love.  We have the wonderful choice to keep those jewels in our pockets for as long as we like.  The salve for the pains of inevitable change lives in the gems that we mine from each experience.

It’s okay to grasp those jewels a little tighter today, and it’s even okay to take them with us.

Life may change, people come and go, but we don’t always have to let go.

Not quite yet.  Not right now.  At least not today.

You can carry them with you always if you like.

In fact, I highly suggest it.