One week!

All of a sudden this afternoon, I realized that a week from today (a little later than right this moment), I will be picking Hannah up from her first day of preschool! I suddenly got a wave of sadness as I realized all that entails. So many of those parenting "letting go" moments really begin as kids enter school, and I am guessing each one is a little harder as we say good-bye to our children stepping through the preschool doors, getting on the school bus, entering junior high, riding in cars with other kids, graduating, going to college--ahhhh! Hannah's whole childhood is passing right in front of my eyes!
I guess that's why people always say "You blink, and your child is grown up!" Recently I heard that time seems to speed up after five. I already feel like the last four years have flown by, so I can only imagine what will come next.
This is one of those times where I have to stop and write down how I'm feeling (which is why I'm taking a moment to step away, even though Hannah is painting and Gemma is trying to climb in the laundry basket) because I know that someday I'm going to want to look back and read these posts & remember the joys of having young children. While there are frustrating, challenging days for sure, I want to think back on these early years with gratitude and fondness, knowing God's hand was firmly holding our days.
In one week, I will drop off my firstborn at preschool, and for those three hours, I won't get to hear every conversation, see her interaction with her peers & teacher, or watch her engage in the various activities so common in preschool. I will wonder how it's going, what she's learning, and if she likes it. When she gets home, I will be so excited to hear all about the day, and I know she will have lots to talk about. I pray that this can be the case no matter how old she gets or how long she has been in school. May our lines of communication always be open, no matter the time or distance!