The Thing About Endings

Endings are tough. I'm not quite sure there's another way to describe it. Either something good is coming to an end and you are lamenting it or a struggle is coming to an end and you've endured the hardship the entire way through.

I'm sure there are some endings that are welcomed and received. But the end of the school year is not necessarily either for my children.

Again, this year, the end was met with tears. It's change and transition. It's the unknown and wondering what is to come.

After a long day at school, and a tunnel full of pool noodles as parents and teachers cheered on… And squirt guns at the bus stop and a pizza party on the front lawn… And gigantic over frosted donuts with gummy worms for a treat, copious amounts of Popsicles, playing with a garden hose and putting toes into the neighbors pool for the first time in this year. So many wonderful things… It was after all of that ended that the tears came. That moment sitting in the backyard alone - with me wandering up to see what was going on… He had no words and only tears.

I remember our dear beloved kindergarten teacher who said that the tears came because the ending reminded us that the rest was so good.

And instead of telling him it was OK not to cry… I simply looked at his big brown eyes and said it's OK, go ahead and cry. So he did. 

But like at the end of last year, and the year before… Other things crept back in to bring the joy. The neighbors from across the street, baseball practice after a mighty win, gorgeous sunsets and maybe one last popsicle.

Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow is a day in which we look forward to the 78 that remain in the summer. We can worry about new schools and new teachers and locker combinations and different bus rides another day. For now, summer is here. We will say goodbye… And welcome all in one breath.