I don’t miss everything about Virginia. In fact, I’d even go so far as to say that I don’t miss most things about it. I don’t miss the traffic (just as bad as you’ve heard), I don’t miss the pace of life or the fact that driving from one place to another even if it’s only a mile or two away always takes twenty minutes. I don’t miss the congestion or the road rage or the fact that I never had a garage.
There are some things I definitely do miss. I was reminded of them this morning as I ran (Week 2 day 2, there’s an app for that) by the elementary school. Everywhere I looked there were groups of mamas standing together chatting. Many more were walking up the sidewalks toward the school with their kids on skateboards and scooters. Many were chatting with other moms and dads.
I felt my heart constrict just a little with what could only be nostalgia for my friends in Virginia. For all the mornings we stood after getting the kids off to school chatting for just a minute before everyone had to get on with their day. Watching our kids walk into their first day of kindergarten and in what seemed like a blink of an eye watching them all walk back out as fourth graders. We experienced a lot of firsts together.
It’s been different here. The kids are older and don’t need me (or even really want me) to walk them up to school. And truthfully, many mornings there are before school things that have me dropping them off on my way to work with just a quick kiss to them and a quick wave to those I recognize.
Truth is, it wouldn’t be the same back there either. We weren’t the only ones to move away and I’m sure some of the now sixth and fifth graders are no longer getting picked up by anyone. It makes me thankful for those days and the friendships built over doing something as simple as school drop off.
Katie and Joel
Most of the gang at Halloween
Elena and Tommy
Best buds: Elie and Katie
oh my. i feel a lot of the same. my grandfather’s family quote is “i had all that.” Look back with content memories but always live in the moment because it always changes and we are all always thankful for what we have now. I need that attitude adjustment today as I spend forever trying to water a lawn that I don’t care about. I think I’ll move on to better things!
I am certain what you say is true [about 5th/6th graders NOT wanting to see their 'rents pick/drop them off.] However, the wonderful Whitlocks won’t be there for the Teacher/Student Basketball game, nor the all day celebration that only the 6th graders get to do. When it’s time for the promotion ceremony [and all of the other fun things the 6th graders get to do] you won’t be there to bear witness.
And it will leave a hole in our hearts, those of us that are left behind and thinking of you.
Carol and I went to dinner together in my car before BTSN this past Monday and we talked about how much we love your family and how much we miss you. We wish you all were here for all of those things that ICES does that you could be a part of.