My Little Shadow
I faithfully use the Simple Scrapbooks daily planner book--it's a great size and easy to use. Each day, a little challenge is given. Friday's was to "capture a shadow in a picture." I realized I'd never done this before, so I was determined to try my skills this weekend. As I thought of different shots I could take, suddenly I realized I've got TONS of shots of my little shadow. Her name is Sage Adeline Bearnson and she's addicted to her mom. I'm pretty crazy about her too! She's definitely a mommy's girl and while sometimes I wish she'd let someone else help her, I really wouldn't have it any other way.
Yesterday we went up in the canyon for a family reunion and together we made paper airplanes, rolled down hills, tried to catch butterflies and forged small streams. Brecken came along for the fun but she's past the mommy's girl stage.
Okay--now the truth comes out. I'm pretty much in mourning mode because my little shadow's going off to Kindergarten this year. September 8th is the dreaded day. Who will be here to help me make my bed in the morning, sit on the counter as I apply makeup, eat cheese sandwiches for lunch and sing silly songs throughout the day?
I know--school's a wonderful thing and I'm sure I'll be excited to see all the new thing's she's learning. It's just really hard sending your last one off into the "real" world.
Thanks for listening and I'm sure you're saying, "It'll be alright, Lisa." I can already hear you cheering me on!
I'll remember my own advice. That is to "find joy in the journey."
Talk to you soon,
Lisa
39 Comments:
Dear Lisa,
I was just telling a young mother of a two year old today to enjoy every moment because pretty soon they'll be 22 and you won't know where the time went. I know how you feel, my baby is going away to college in one week and I don't know I'll cope, so thank you for your posting so that I know I'm not alone.
My son is a handsome, polite young man now but oh, how I miss the days when I would carry him around in my arms!
P.S. I see that you are the founder of Coterie, what is this?
Hi Lisa,
I know exactly how you feel! My little Allison starts kindergarten on August 28th and I am just so sad about it. She is my one and only and I am going to miss our one on one "girl time" so much! My friends with kids the same age are excited to have them go so they have some free time but I LOVE just hanging out with her. She is such a joy to have around.
Why do they have to grow up?
I'm a late bloomer, so I'm just now sending my first one off to first grade (I'm almost 39). She's been in school for a week now, and already I'm sad and even have delusional thoughts where I actually have the time to homeschool. Anything to have her back home with me! Kindergarten was half day, but I really miss my Julia now that she's with her teacher as much as she's with me!
((Hugs)) to you..I remember the first day of school for my *last baby*...
iek you reminded me that my little shadow will go to school too in the beginning of next year, wheeeeeeeeeh way too soon!
corinnexxx
the years really do go by way too fast...my oldest starts kindergarten in just 2 days...i'm dredding that day as i'm sure i'll be one of the blubbering mothers who is pulled away from her child and told it's time to let go! :) hugs and good luck!
Lisa, she is a beauty! Ya know, my daughter will start 7th grade this year and every first day of school I am so blue! I miss having her around during the day with me so much!! Good luck to Sage as she starts a whole new journey in life, you too!
Cricket :)
Your shadow is such a cutie. I loved meeting you and your girls in Missoula, Montana. Just remember to enjoy all of the "lasts" and not just the firsts with your kids. It all goes way to fast, before you know it they are all grwon up and starting families of their own.
I went through that last year when my "little guy" went off to school. Time sure flies by. As sad as I was for myself, I had to keep telling myself it's a new journey for him.
Oh Lisa, your comments brought happy tears to my eyes and a special memory - as I remembered the last few days before school began, with my last child, my shadow, my little, blonde-haired blue-eyed girl - and the fun we had when there was just "us 2" when her brothers were away.
Because my 4-yr old little shadow of "only yesterday" is now 23 yrs old, and we're anxiously awaiting for her to safely deliver my first grandbaby any day - a little girl (we know already), no-doubt with blonde hair and blue eyes like her mommy! Carpe diem, for time flies ...
My 5 year old big guy starts next week.(sniffle-sniffle).I know I'll be standing by the bus with a box of tissues,and my 3 year old on hip and he heading off to pre-school.While my 18 year old finishes her last year of high school,this year. I'll be starting the process all over again. Ah! what was I thinking, except I love it!
My youngest starts school soon too :( Sept 12th. Its hard... I understand :(
hugs
I looked for my shadow this morning
I looked almost everywhere!
When I finally remembered that
My shadow wouldn't be there!
My sweet smiling shadow
That made my day so sweet
Went smiling on the big yellow bus
That rumbled down our street!
Oh how I disliked that yellow bus
When it took my baby girl away...
But how I will love that bus
At the end of this long day!
I can hardly wait to see my big girl
Who so bravely got aboard!
And throughout the day you could hear me pray:
Oh, please protect her Lord!!
Thena
Hey Lisa my youngest heads off to kindergarten on the 7th. I t will be sad(for me) she on the other hand is very excited!
My little shadow has one more year home before she goes to K. I pulled her out of preschool and am homeschooling her this year. That's how much I wanted more time with her! I'll definitely be needing the "kleenex party" our PTA holds every year.
Hey, have you seen that Target t-shirt that says "Mom's Sidekick"? I saw it and knew I had to get it for Alaina.
Thank you for the wonderful idea that a shadow didn't have to neccessarily be a 'shadow'
Don't worry, I put my second one thru Kindergarten last year and wasn't too bad, but I have a feeling that my third is going to be my hardest as he is the last to start.
Good luck!
Hey I now how hard it is to let the last one go!! You take care and just enjoy the moment. When they are teens and getting on your nerves embrace those sweet memories!! Then they become adults and life is good again well sometimes!! Hugs Wanda
Lisa, totally feelin' ya today. I just sent my fourth and last to Kindergarten today. She is my bud. I have been home alone with her during the day for 5 years now. I saw my friend as I was leaving and she asked my how she did. I told her that there were tears today, but they weren't hers. So I will be thinking of you on Sept. 8th
Daleen
The comments about your "shadow" certainly bring back wonderful memories of my sweeties. How I wish we could capture time in a bottle but I am so thankful for my knowledge of the eternities. My thoughts are with you and all the other moms who are sending their "shadows" off to school.
I can so relate. My first kiddo is heading off to K on 9/5. I dread it, but am excited for the new friends and new things he'll learn. We'll get through though. I'm (ALMOST) ready, he's ready, and I think he's little sister will NEVER be ready. It will be okay.=0)
That picture of Sage and you is GREAT! Its hard to believe she is going off to kindergarten this year!
Lisa,
Not sure if you'd remember me or not, but I was at CKC in Valley Forge last year. You bought me a T-shirt after I TA'd your class, because I'd ended up at CKC sans ATM card.
My Krissy starts Kindergarten one week from today and I'm almost in a depression about it. I feel like this is the first step to her leaving home. And I don't like to even think about that. I look at all these little girls who've gone from sweet and innocent to replying "that's not cool" to whatever their mom suggests. I'm not ready for that.
I wish I could stop time right here, but I know I can't. Doesn't mean I have to like it, though.
Hey Lisa, so very awesome to find your blog :) I love your little shadow, Mine went off to Preschool this year and like yours, I am the one who has to do everything for and with him :)
Maybe you could start a Last Page , and list the lasts you will be doing with her before she begins kinder ? :)
I have a shadow, too...mine is 6 years old. We just spent 6 days in Disneyland and her highlight was the evening Daddy and big brother went to the A's game and we had two hours alone in the hotel. And, yes, it's exhausting to be the 'one' for her always, but I treasure it!
Thena always comes up with just the right poem to make you feel better about any situation. Enjoy your last 2 weeks having all day fun together. I felt the same way when my youngest went to school...but I got over it pretty quickly. Is that wrong? :o)
She'll be fine and so will you. I know it's hard to see them grow so fast. mY youngest starts 4th grade on the 5th and I'm just so bummed out and feeling old.
Good luck!!!
My oldest would tear out my heartstrings during her first year of kindergarten.
She was old enough to walk to her class by herself, she told me as I drove as close to the door as possible. Then after kisses, hugs and encouragement, she got out of the car ran to the door but she never went into those doors. . . she would stand there and wave until I was out of her sight. I came home many times with a wet face.
Today was her first day of High School.
They grow so fast and I don’t want them to. It hurts to see your kids grow up. You want them to stay small and loveable and precious little children with precious thoughts.
Sage will be fine but you …. Can call me and I will help cheer you up…
~Debbie w.
Hi Lisa! Just recently found your blog and I'm so glad. Love your work. Can't wait to read more! :)
Brek
Lisa has a blog! Lisa has a blog!
Sorry to shout, but I lost my head there with the excitement!
You're so generous to share your life with us, Lisa, and your amazing talents, too!
Wow! I'm in NYC today for corporate meetings and had to refer to my blog in the middle of the meeting. Then I was a bit sneaky and started reading your comments. Okay, Thena--you're in trouble! Your poem made teary eyed. I read each of your heartfelt stories about sending your little ones off to school and I felt such a community of love and support. Just a huge thanks for being my friends!
(((HUGS))) Back at ya...We luv ya!
Bonjour!
I'm happy to find your blog, as I can tell you you're so a great person to my eyes.
You make me dream. And making dream people, as a magician, is one of the most beautiful job you can do into the world.
Please, go on to make me dream...
Merci! I just need it.
Lisa, I remember when you had Sage! I can't believe she's off to school already. What a cutie pie!
Melissa
AWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! You made me get all teary eyed. Even though my little one is in 1st grade this year not just Kindergarten. It is even harder because she is gone alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
daaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
looooonnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg
(all day long) that is. I feel for you Lisa!!!!!!!
I know how it feels to watch your baby grow up and go off to school. I just sent my baby off the the Air Force Academy. It's hard to see them leave home,but would be even harder if they weren't ready to leave. Enjoy her, she'll be going off to college before you know it.
Penny
((HUGS)) Lisa!
I felt the SAME WAY when my now 3.5 year old son started pre-school. He has special needs, and watching his teacher and the aides escort him into the building was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. He can't talk. He can't tell me if anything is wrong. I knew he would be in good hands. I had met his teachers and was very involved in writing his IEP. Still, he's my baby, and I didn't want anyone to be mean to him or to hurt him.
Well, the words of my grandmother immediately came to my mind. When my mom was voicing similar angst about my trip to kindergarten, she said to her, "Reenie, be grateful she can go." Grandma spent the majority of her adult years caring for my aunt. My aunt had been fine at birth, but a bout with encephalitis left her with significant brain damage. She lost her capacity for speech, and this was in the days before we had all the great services for people who have special needs.
Grandma would be amazed at all the things Ron (my son) has been able to do thanks to these wonderful people. Tears came to my eyes when I looked in my son's backpack after his first day (Valentine's Day- they go by a different calendar), and I pulled out his very first craft! Since I teach part time at a local college, I took it with me and showed my students. I was so proud of my son that I decided to give them all automatic "10's" on their quiz that day. I still think that little colored heart belongs in the Louvre, but I'll NEVER part with it! :)
Sage will do great Lisa! With a mom and dad like you and Steve, she's already off to a super start!
God Bless,
Colleen
Thanks, Lisa, for starting a blog. I feel for you with the milestone of sending your little one to school...those little moments just catch your heart and make you remember to savor them.
I look forward to reading you more!
My only son went off to kindergarten today. I held off the tears until I walked back from the bus stop. I wandered around the house, not sure of what to do. I have lists of things I want to accomplish, now that I have some time to myself. But today, I was too sad. I'm crying again reading all these posts. One of my top priorities though, is getting back to scrapbooking!
Lisa,
On Aug. 28th, I had the same feelings. I dropped my 4 year old off at preschool. It's only half-day, but my heart sank when I realized it was the LAST "first day of school" experience with a child of mine. Because I too got started later in life,I doubt I'll be having any more babies since I'm now 42!
I have to say, I really enjoy your books, your magazine, and your appearances on QVC. I recently learned (on QVC) that you and I were born in the same year. You've been married 17 years, and I've been married 16 years on the 15th of September. I just know that if we had lived in the same area, we would have been great friends. You are truly leaving a wonderful mark in this world. Thanks for all you do. :)
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