Tara’s Takes
Last Friday I took an afternoon to run to Sioux Falls to run some errands. Mainly, I’ve been trying to declutter, and I had a couple of tubs of clothes for resale and the kids had gone through the games and paired down what we actually play.
I used it as a reason to take some time for myself and to escape the never-ending todo lists I have at the office and home for a few short hours.
Mainly, I wanted to get away because after last weekend, I don’t have a weekend free until June, and by then those weekends will probably fill up as well.
So, off I went. I took care of my errands, I browsed around places I like to go without having to be on someone else’s schedule. I got coffee when I was at Target and actually took time to look at some things I had on my “someday” list. I wandered aisles that I really didn’t need anything in but wanted to look, and no one was saying, “Are we done yet?” I got a fantastic sushi burrito before I headed home and there was no long discussion on where we were going to eat.
I love hanging out with my kids. I love all the activities I get to support them. I love watching them succeed and being there for them as they learn how to handle life when it doesn’t go their way.
I also love my career. There are days I want to pull my hair out, but I love Tracy and being able to serve our community and the surrounding communities.
However, every once in a while, stepping away does something for you. It lets you breathe in a way you didn’t even know you were missing. I listened to several hours of my current book, You are a Badass, How to stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero.
Honestly, it’s so good I’m relistening to it on audible and I have the hard copy at home. I highly recommend it.
Did I spend most of my time looking for a dress for my daughter or picking up things that the kids need? Yes. But it was with a calm and pace that I don’t get to have very often.
On my way home, I was thinking about the next eight weeks. The start of Plum Creek Soccer, proms, college visits for Ben, the end of the first year of college for Brady. Every week is a new adventure. I know looking at my calendar these next two months will be gone in a blink of an eye.
That also got me thinking back to this time last year when Brady was on his last two months of high school. I prayed for a time to slow down so I could savor the moments and celebrations. But it didn’t. That fourth quarter started and poof, he was walking across the stage for graduation.
This year, while we are starting the college search for Ben as he’ll be a senior next year, I’m thinking about all the senior parents. I’m thinking about the stress of planning and trying to stay in the moment for all the “lasts.”
Ben was confirmed earlier this month. When he had his first communion, two friends of mine and I stood proudly with our three boys in front of us for a photo. At confirmation, we recreated that photo and even after trying to stand on the step behind them, we still had to stand in front of our sons. It felt like just yesterday they were those secondgraders getting their first communion. Now they were juniors towering over their moms as they were confirmed.
So as we enter the chaos of the last two months of school, whether your kids (or grandkids) are seniors or preschoolers, hold on tight. Enjoy the never-ending activities, field trips, tests, and “stuff” that makes up the end of the year.
While it seems like we’re drowning now, before we’re ready for it, we’ll be the only one in the pool.
