Bittersweet

My kids just walked out the door for their final day of school.  To be honest, I shed a few tears, some of joy, some not so happy.  I'm so looking forward to our summer and the fun that we are going to share.  At the same time, I can't help but feel that twinge of sadness, although I'm not letting it ruin the excitement of the impending summer!  But JC and HT have had such a wonderful year, and I'm sad to see it come to an end for them.  And while I'm excited for JR and his choice to attend a new school next year, there is part of me that is angry.  I'm angry that we even have to have the discussion about having to attend a different school.  I'm angry that our school here can't provide a safe and solid education for him.  I'm very grateful though that we have an alternative that is free and that will allow me to continue working.  And I'm very grateful that my husband teaches in a fabulous school district where we would be pleased to send our kids.  My sadness is also due to the passage of time.  This was the very last day all three of my children will head out the door at the same time on their way to elementary school.  Where has the time gone?  How is it even remotely possible that I'm going to have a teenager in the fall?  My cousin's youngest son just graduated from high school and she is so full of sadness.  I know that I'm going to be in the same situation some day, and even though our youngest won't graduate for another 10 years, I also know that in some ways it's just around the corner.  Ultimately, I hope that I'm raising my children to be responsible, productive members of society, but I still hope they don't grow up too fast!