As graduation season rolls around, students from preschoolers to college graduates are proudly wearing their caps and gowns. This particular time is especially poignant for me as my eldest, Jake, is finishing high school. I’ve been told to expect a whirlwind of emotions, especially a longing for the simpler days of his childhood. But honestly? I’m just not feeling it.
I’ve revisited kindergarten performances and dusted off second-grade report cards filled with sweet notes from his teachers. I’ve even unearthed old baby photos and heartfelt Mother’s Day cards while putting together the obligatory senior tribute. Yet, none of these memories have struck a chord with me. You might wonder what’s wrong with me, and I think I understand.
Every year, a poem circulates online that reflects on the “lasts” of childhood—the last time you carry them, the last time they hold your hand, the last embrace when they run to you. Sure, it’s emotionally stirring, and I’ve teared up reading it in the right moment. But right now, I’m eager to usher this towering, snack-hungry, soccer-sock-leaving young man out of my home and into the next chapter of his life. In fact, I have my own “lasts” to share:
The Transition to Teen Years
Once your child hits their teenage years, things change dramatically. You may find yourself reminiscing about the days when entering his room didn’t feel like a hazardous mission, but those times are behind us. And with those days, his willingness to heed any of my advice seems to have vanished as well.
This is the last time I’ll receive calls from the school informing me that my angel decided to leave campus without permission. On his way out, he may have performed a perfect Dukes of Hazzard spinout—not in the countryside, but in the crowded school parking lot, where he managed to clip another car’s bumper and take out a light pole.
Final Days of Childhood
These final days are filled not with childhood toys, but instead with every piece of flatware in sight alongside a mountain of bowls and cups sporting old, dried milk. Make no mistake, these days are fleeting.
Soon enough, I’ll log into iTunes without discovering $107 worth of charges for a basketball app or a playlist of questionable songs. One day, I won’t see my 18-year-old accidentally launch a golf ball into a neighbor’s window. I’ll also no longer need to ask him to empty the dishwasher, only to find measuring cups in the skillet’s spot.
There will come a day—a glorious last day—when he will gather every pair of nasty underwear, every moldy towel, and every empty can of deodorant he believes still works. He’ll step out the door, and it will be the last time I hear the familiar screeching of his car as it departs the driveway. Except, it likely won’t be.
Ready for the Next Chapter
So, forgive me for not being sentimental. He’s ready. He knows how to find food, how to pack, and is familiar with the concept of personal hygiene. I’m confident he knows how to find his way back home, but I hope it’s never for the last time.
If you’re navigating similar feelings as your child transitions, you might find helpful insights in our other blog posts, like this one on home insemination and family planning. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource.
Summary
As graduation season approaches, one mother shares her unique perspective on the emotional journey of watching her son transition from high school to adulthood. Instead of feeling nostalgic, she reflects on the moments of growth and the “lasts” that define this important milestone.