For about 30-some years of my life, I excitedly anticipated the arrival of fall. I was (maybe still am?) a total nerd growing up, so I loved back-to-school time.
Cooler weather,
new clothes,
a return to routine,
new school supplies,
beautiful landscapes,
the anticipation of what lay ahead.
I find these days that the approach of fall is a bittersweet time for me. Yes, I enjoy all of the above (only now the new school clothes & supplies are for my kids :-)). But I also feel
time slipping away fast,
a countdown to my kids leaving our household,
like maybe I haven’t used these years with them wisely,
like I haven’t done as good a mothering job as I would have liked,
a sadness that they are growing so fast,
a wistfulness about their infant years.
(Gosh, you’d think I’m sending them off to college…)
As moms, we are preparing our children to be independent. Preparing them to not need us. Who knew it would be this hard?
Led By The Shepherd 
I know exactly what you’re talking about. With Kenny in eighth grade. I’m thinking forward to next year he’ll be in HIGHSCHOOL and then I will blink and he’ll be in COLLEGE.
Yes, we are working toward their independence, but they will ALWAYS need us.
You’re doing a great job Stephanie!!!