Just Feeling Old

[frdeb1999]

My daughter graduated last evening and I am feeling so old! It just seems to have flown by. Where does the time go? You think back to when they were born and think of how you felt then....overwhelmed, tired, scared, happy. And it all comes back once again so many times over. I am so very happy and proud of her. Just shake my head and wonder how it got here so fast! I know it's much harder on the parents seeing it all then the kids! If I only had known what my mom was talking about back then!! Hindsight!

 

[Towncrier]

Our youngest (a daughter also) graduated from high school last night. One of the students who spoke talked about how, according to his parents, it was only 6 months ago that we sent our kids to preschool; only 3 months ago that we took them to their first softball game; only a month ago that we walked with them in the halls of the high school during their freshman orientation; and only a week ago that we sent them off to school for the first day of their senior year. He also talked about the day when his son will walk across the stage to get his diploma and how to him it will probably seem like only the blink of an eye.

It was a bittersweet moment last night for us (as I am sure it was for you). I still remember bringing her home from the hospital and immediately taking her to church to show her off. I remember holding her on my lap. I remember the first time that she rolled over. When she started to crawl, then to walk, then to talk. And now she's about to head off to college. It just doesn't seem possible. I sat there in the audience next to my wife, my mom, and my mother-in-law. If time is flying for me, I cannot imagine how quickly it is passing for them. I'm sure that both of our mothers vividly remember our graduations all those years ago as if it were only yesterday.

Take some comfort in knowing that you are not alone in how you feel today.

 

[frdeb1999]

Thanks Towncrier!

 

[safetymom]

I understand your feelings. My son is getting married in June. Where did the time go? It seems it was only yesterday when my late husband and I brought him home. I don't feel older.

 

[donac]

I had a college graduation last month and a high school one in 3 weeks. WHere did the time go? Last week was the last band concert with the same band director for 9 years (between both boys) and next week is Senior night. Throw on a 30th wedding anniversary in a couple of months and it really is time for reflection.

 

[frdeb1999]

Sounds like you can reflect on wonderful memories though too donac. Hard to see them grow....but makes you proud knowing how well you have done. And in this day and age....thats all you can hope for.

 

[alstroemeria]

What we realize only as we age and what no one tells us when we are young is that we are THE SAME inside, from the very beginning, since childhood. At least I feel like that. We think we'll change when we mature, we think we'll feel different, well, surprise, we stay just the same inside... So, put the sadness away, feel the joy of what you've accomplished and what you still have to accomplish, feel young and you're young!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Oh my gosh, I already cherish every moment with my kids, DD9 & DS10, but lately they've been having some growing pains. I really needed to read this to help me look past the day to day grumbling and enjoy the fact I have them all to myself for the whole summer. Thanks for the reminder everyone

 

[Mackey Mouse]

It does go by fast......TC, I cannot believe one of yours graduated from high school..

I have to say when they went off to college, it was tough. Because the family unit is never quite the same again. When mine finished college, they wanted to live on their own, not in the burbs, but in the city.. It was ending of that era of their being home and that hurt the heart a bit. But I remember thinking I wanted them to grow up and be independent and they were doing that.. They are always your babies in your mind, but in their's, they are adults and making their way.

Marriage next, sure for some, and grandchildren, yeah, that sounds good, because then it all comes back home......only they are your grandchildren, what a feeling that is. Right, SM.. amazing.

So hugs to you all, do not feel old, just feel you have done your job well and that the children are moving on to the next phase of their lives.

 

[safetymom]

Oh yes having a grandchild is amazing.

 

[kimis]

Yes time does fly but how does it do it without us aging? LOL I think of only yesterday I was a new bride. The trouble is my "only yesterday" was 33 years ago. In that time we raised three great sons who married three great girls. We have five grandchildren with three more on the way. Our oldest granddaughter starts first grade in August. Didn't her dad just start first grade yesterday? In the past few years I have lost two brothers and my wonderful best friend--my mom. Death reminds us that each and every moment is special. Since we don't know what the future holds I try to cherish each day, each minute with my family and friends. It is important to make memoiries- not for us but for them. When I feel old (which is a lot lately) I think back, fight back the tears and smile at all the memoiries. Yes I want to do it all again. I would like to have my children back when they were small not because I think I made mistakes but because I loved it so much. Once in a while someone will ask me (usually when they are fighting with a two year old or a sixteen year old) will this pass and I always say too soon. Can you tell this is a day I feel old. LOL

 

[frdeb1999]

But you could'nt have said it any better kimis! I always tell the people I work with that have very little ones still....don't wish the time away. Believe me it will go by quick enough on it's own!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

"don't wish the time away. Believe me it will go by quick enough on it's own!"

Amen to that.. seems I blinked and it was gone. I now have my grandson....DH and I love him so.. He just left to go home... he tires us out and it is a good tired. He makes us laugh every moment he is here, he brings such joy.

Hugs all around.

 

[Sehsun]

I can't believe I graduated from college a little over a year ago. The older I get, the more I want time to slow down. I hope that when I graduate from my current school program, I can eventually settle somewhere a little closer to my parents. Thankfully I am still in the same state as them.

 

[Sugarfoot]

I felt the same way you did when my DD graduated from high school in 1997.

We were then "empty nesters" and it was so hard to see her go off to college.

But, 3 years later she got married and they just celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary. They gave us a darling little grandson 3 years ago, and they are expecting their second child in January.

So, not only do we have a daughter, but we have a wonderful son-in-law, a precious grandson and we can't wait to meet the new baby in January.

Time marches on. Enjoy each day and what it has to offer.