Yes, it takes many alarms to awaken me.
This morning was actually special and exciting. I did the normal routine of shower, hair, makeup, getting dressed for work and cooking breakfast, but there was one difference to the morning.
Today was my only child’s first day of being a senior in high school. “Where did the time go?” I kept asking myself all morning. “Wasn’t it yesterday that she started first grade? I’m SURE it was just yesterday!”
But alas, no, it was twelve years ago that my baby began her trek through the educational system and today marked the beginning of the end of her twelve year stint.
Amidst the peaceful quiet of the morning, I contemplated the miracles of finally giving birth to her and how just a few months ago her life was spared. Could my heart have been more thankful as I bustled to ensure that I was ready when it was time to depart?
No, I believe my heart was overflowing with love for my dear Alyssa and the Heavenly Father that so graciously sent her to me to enjoy.
The time finally arrived and we went outside. Like so many years before, Alyssa struck the “I’m going to school on the first day of the new year” pose and I clicked a few photos while marveling at the beauty of my own child.
How did I give birth to such a phenomenal human being as my sweet Alyssa? It will always remain one of the great mysteries of life.
She was calm, anxious and excited. You might be thinking that Alyssa was excited to be going back to school, but you would be totally wrong in that assumption. Her excitement was caused by something totally out of the ordinary.
Unlike all the years before when we hopped into the car and drove to school with me relishing every motherly moment, this morning there was a vast difference.
I kissed her.
We hugged.
Then with a huge smile, Alyssa walked towards the car that she purchased this weekend. Yes, my lovely entrepreneur and industrious child saved enough money for a huge down payment on a lovely car.
A shiny, metallic paint covered two door with a sunroof and polished black tires kind of car. Not a jalopy, but a car with less than 30,000 miles on it and is in pristine condition after having only one owner.
Alyssa was like a beam of sunlight with excitement and she was so rightfully proud of her own accomplishment.
Me?
Well, the pride that filled my motherly bosom just about popped the buttons off my shirt.
I have an intelligent and beautiful daughter who is starting twelfth grade and she drove to school in a car she purchased for herself.
No, life could not have been any better this morning. I felt I was living in a fantastic dream.
I am so happy, proud and grateful for you my sweet child. I look forward to sharing another and the last year before you receive a well earned diploma.
Loving you with every cell in my being,
Mom
a.k.a. to the rest of the world as
The woman who insists that you eat breakfast each morning even when you’re not hungry.
My firstborn will be in 6th grade next year (her last year of elementary school) and it's already making my teary. I'm so not ready for her to be in Jr. High and High School. Wish they didn't grow up so fast.
Hope she had a wonderful first day – she is beautiful!
Red, that is awesome! You do have a beautiful intelligent girl- she takes after her mother! Congratulations Alyssa and well done Red!
Thank you, for sharing that! 🙂
Carrie
She IS beautiful, and SMART, and resourceful!! You have good cause to pop a few buttons!! And a CAR to BOOT!! WOW!! I had nothing but jalopies until I was 27!! Granted, sometimes 2 at a time because I had to determine which was cheaper to fix each time to keep transportation. Pathetic, I know!!
I did get your e-mail, but I was off camping with the fam over the weekend. Sorry. I have buttons in my sidebar. There is the main one, the prayer list, and the Awareness Wednesday. Take the one you think would be most effective. Thanks!!
What a beauty! Hope she has a wonderful senior year!!
Sounds like you have a wonderful daughter. You should be proud. 🙂
Senior year…what an exciting time! Good Luck! My daughter is a Sophomore this year and I cried more on her first day of 5th grade (last year of Elementary school) than I did on the first day of Kindergarten. Your post had me a little teary eyed just thinking about her Senior year
lovely post. my sons picture of his first day as a senior was not as beautiful.
Hey Red! I want you to know what a beautiful post that was. It brought tears to my eyes. It's reading things like this that make me realize how much I have missed out on not being able to have children. I love the pride and love that you show for Alyssa. She is a beautiful girl and I like the fact that she is the type of young woman that has enough pride in herself to buy her Own car and doesn't expect mommy and daddy to furnish her with everything she wants. That is awesome.
God Bless, and congrats go out to Alyssa.
PJ
Nice post! You should be proud. That's great that she saved and bought her own car. I'm sure it was hard to watch her drive away. Happy and sad days ahead!
All of your posts about your daughter make me cry! She IS beautiful and obviously got her mom's smarts, too!
Good for her! You have a very pretty daughter… and of course I love her name! My first daughter will be born this December.