Over the years of blogging, I’ve posted plenty of first day of school pictures.Here are the three most recent.
10th grade
11th grade
12th grade
But today? Today is a truly historic day because it is Sarah’s last day of school. As in Very. Last. Day.
Steve applauded her as she left the porch to head to the van.
It was a true standing ovation.
And then he did the whole “bowing down to her greatness” thing.
Which of course made her smile.
She made her way to the car . . .
where Steve intercepted her.
He prayed with her . . .
and hugged her . . . the way he has done every school morning.
And then it was time to get in the car for our last trip to school together.
When I dropped her off at the school curb we held each others’ gaze for a whole lot longer than we normally do and let the memories swirl between us. With tears in my eyes I said, “I love you. I’m proud of you.”
And she was gone.
A big congratulations to Sarah!! What a huge milestone! I hope you all have a fun weekend with all of your family in town! Can’t wait to see the pictures!
Gayle,
I can’t wait to TAKE those pictures! 🙂
And then a whole set of emotions come when she goes off to college. Sarah, you are a winner. Congrats.
Sharyn,
Yes, it’s truly an emotional time! In a good way, though. 🙂
well, I’m crying too! Oh well!
Congrats Sarah!!!
Renee,
And I think there are even more change-of-season tears coming!
I am crying as I read this… because I am so happy that Sarah is here to have a last day of school!! I am also thinking ahead to 3 years in my future… when Abby will walk this same path! I know I will hear great things that sarah will do, and I look forward to seeing and hearing about them through your blog… 🙂 Enjoy this time… graduation is really a big deal, and such a rite of passage!!
Tiffany,
And those three years for Abby will by in a blink. I know you’re treasuring the moments!
Congrats Sarah!
Thanks, Catherine! 🙂
You’ve done it again :’)
I’m so very thankful for your family and how you have shared your hard times and your happy times with us…your readers..your friends, actually, even though you’ve never met some of us. But I can say for sure that my life is more rich because of all you’ve shared. But especially that little, feisty girl who is now a beautiful young woman. Thanks for letting us into her life. She’s changed us. I thank God for His healing hand on her. And I will always hold her close in my prayers.
With love,
Kim
Kim,
What a very, very sweet comment.
So happy that my readers are such a special part of our family and so humbled to know that our family has become a special part of your lives, too. Thanks for your words–they mean so much.
Congratulations, Sarah! 🙂
Kristi–thank you!
Do you have a picture of her very first day of school when she was 4 or 5 or 6? it would be neat to see the two pictures side by side. I did that with my John’s 2 pictures, really quite thought provoking. Not that you will have time this week to tend to such a mundane matter- ha!
Lesley,
I home schooled Sarah for her K-2 so I don’t have a picture like that. Wish I did though–love the thought!
Transitions always make me happysad. I coined/borrowed that word just for this occasion. Happy graduation, Sarah!
JK,
Happysad. The perfect word.
Oh, my….I have tears also. What a great last day of school with so much more to come!
Mary,
Still can’t QUITE believe I will no longer pull into the High School parking lot to drop her off. Really, really can’t.
Those “last” things are tough on us momma’s. I went through it 3 times, but then we see them go on and be happy, that’s what we want. Again, congrats to you and the graduate
Wendy,
Well, if you’ve been through it three times I’m glad to know it’s survivable! 🙂
So proud of Sarah as we have watched her for years. God has been so good and we are thankful to have been a part of that experience. Enjoy the “pomp and circumstances” as these memories are special and will last forever. As she continues forward we will all be praying and watching for great things ahead. Thank you, Becky and Steve, for sharing your daughter with us. It truly has been a blessing.
Ann,
The blessing goes both ways. Thanks Ann, to you and Jim, for being a special part of our lives!
right on for the “greatness” part!
anything special going on for the last day?
I can’t remember if we had exams for our last day/week.
Mrs. Pam,
I had my final exam in an elective class and school was dismissed at 12:30. It was the last day for seniors; underclassmen will have another exam tomorrow while we have graduation practice. –Sarah
So sweet, Becky. But she will still be home for the next two years and some. If she goes away to college or where ever, that is the truly big transition. It seems it was just yesterday that Nathan made that transition and now he’s with his own home, wife, child, job and life. It goes by too fast, so I’m glad you get to hold on a bit longer with Sarah. And yes, cherish and enjoy each day, each moment.
Cath,
You don’t know how very thankful I am Sarah will be home for two more years! Happy, happy, happy.
You know Becky, you take them to kindergarten and they inform you that they know where their class is, you don’t need to go in with them and you shed tears knowing that something important has happened (at least that is what happened with my daughter) and then in what seems like 5 seconds, you watch them as a college president hands them their degree. The strangest thing happens to you when you see them get that degree or in Sarah’s case that high school diploma; all a mother’s eye can see is that little girl with that enormous backpack making her way into a kindergarten class. My heart will be with you as she graduates, just remember as you look at that little girl all the things that she can and WILL become. She is a blessing from God and He has great and wonderful things for her to do. She is a walking, talking miracle. God bless you, Steve and Sarah as you start the next part of your journey.
Gail,
What a sweet and insightful comment. During this emotional time, I WILL look ahead to the “things she can and will become.”
Yay! Congratulations, Sarah!
Having just had my oldest son graduate from high school, I understand these “last day” feelings. I am thankful for the memories and for him growing up but couldn’t he slow down just a WEE bit.
Celebrate well, sweet Smith family!
Suzanne,
Slowing down a WEE bit would be a very good thing!
The last day of public school, and the first day of the rest of your life’s education! Congratulations, Sarah, and best wishes as you continue your learning in the “real world.”
Jan,
Last and first. It goes hand in hand, doesn’t it? Can’t wait to see all of Sarah’s new firsts!
Awh….congrats to you ALL! So THANKFUL for Gods goodness…..and fairhfulness to your family!!
Kim
Kim
So much faithfulness. So grateful.
Another milestone…..Yay Sarah!! Enjoy your day! 🙂
LeeAnne,
Seems like we’ve had milestones all over the place lately! Memorable times . . .
Go Sarah!….The World is your oyster…Crack it open!
Scooter,
She’s looking forward to seeing just what’s inside that oyster . . .