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.
Faiqa, I’m crying at work right now, thanks to you. This post was so beautiful, and so true. I am an emotional mess thinking about my children and graduations and how my little baby boy will be ‘graduating’ from kindergarten in a few weeks… in September, grade ONE. How did that happen, how? I was just rocking him in my arms yesterday… bittersweet, isn’t it?
Love it. And what darling children.
Awww- she is SO beautiful, Faiqa.
Love it.
I wish that I thought to say these things to my children. I am just now getting to the point that I can tell them it’s okay to be stressed out when things change, but remember to take care of yourself. Wish I could meet you in real life, I think you rock!!
~Becca
I’m crying…thought it would never come. Hope that moms get to carry away the jems too. XO
I wish I could write as well as you do and express my thoughts that beautifully. Well done. Time goes very fast. I have a grandson who is going to be a senior in high school next year and it seems like only yesterday that my kids were that age.
Oh Faiqa, that is so beautiful. When I looked at your beautiful little one today, I could do nothing but smile and smile. The past few years at graudation, I have felt incredibly melancholy but today was so different. I am not sure why but it must be that I am growing and changing even as the children do. Today I felt excited and optimistic for each and every child I said “see you later” to. Thank you for sharing. …and I will see you later!
Ugh. My heart hurts.
Did you WANT to make me cry? Well, congratulations. *sob*
Simply beautiful. “You can only fill a cup that has been emptied.”
That is a beautiful picture and a wonderful post.
I have been thinking about “moving forward” a lot lately, especially with all of the upcoming changes in my life.
But today, everyone was posting about their kid graduating kindergarten and Ive been a sobby mess because it’s already been THREE YEARS since Travis graduated kindergarten and OMG he’s going into fourth grade this fall and will be TEN in seven months.
Having your kid grow up is awesome in some ways (yay potty trained!) but is the the most heartbreaking too BUT it’s also the most fun – except, ya know, for colic and poopy diapers and tantrums and all that not fun stuff.
Rambling now
This was beautiful. I needed to read this right now, while my as-of-yet-in-preschool-kids are driving me crazy. Thanks for reminding me why we have children in the first place.
This is so beautiful. Your daughter is very lucky to have your guidance as she navigates these milestones.
This is so beautiful. Your daughter is very lucky to have your guidance as she navigates these milestones.
Aww..Tears!!! Just thinking about Ibraheem graduating from med school (however many years down the road it might be) brings tears down my eyes. Congrats to N for one of her many accomplishments to come. Miss you guys.
That is a great picture. I love these little moments in time- they are part of what is really important in life.
<3
Simple truths, exactly.
When does she start med school?
This post was so beautiful. Totally reminded me of when my son Nino graduated from preschool. When he walked so confidently down the aisle and smiled over at me I thought my heart would burst. I could still feel his fuzzy little head like it was the day he was born. And yet there he was walking through a crowd with a shy smile full of pride. He was just 5, but he could have been 15. Or 25 for all I knew. He’s still mine now. But he won’t be forever. He’s becoming his own person. Already.