This Time Next Year

This time next year I might just be an emotional mess.

I’m already seeing it.

A year from now will be the week our son graduates from high school.

Gulp.

Our youngest. How can this be? How could I have blinked, and here we are with one year left of high school???

I can already confidently say I’ll need all my girlfriends to rally around me. I’ll need their presence and support, probably more than ever.

My husband and I will walk hand-in-hand as we face this new stage in our journey together… an empty nest. We can see how God is already preparing us.

I believe we’ll be ready.

But the thought of “my baby” graduating in a year makes my stomach churn.

I suppose the reason it’s heavy on my heart today originated from Tuesday night, and the last high school choir concert of the school year. 

Zach and his buddies are pictured here having some fun after the concert. Don’t they look handsome?!! (Zach is on the far left, standing with one of his friends on his back.) Four of us moms were taking pictures, and we all realized we’ll be “empty-nesters” after next year. We may just have to start our own support group.

This last concert is always my favorite. Our school does a beautiful job honoring and celebrating the soon-to-be graduating Seniors. Each year to close the concert, all three choirs join together on stage and sing our school’s Alma mater. During the interlude, the Seniors walk off the stage, and the remaining choir students finish the song.

It’s beautiful. It’s emotional. It’s powerful. Tears fill my eyes each year, especially two years ago when our daughter was a Senior, and I imagine it’ll be the same next year with our son.

I captured a video mid-song on my phone… (by the way, our son is the one closest to the podium–even though you can’t see it’s him very well)…

Sigh.

Moms and Dads, I don’t need to tell you this, but I will anyway. Cherish your time with those little ones at home. Cherish your time with your elementary and middle school-age children. Don’t attempt to rush the time. Enjoy each moment with them. You’ll soon find yourself in my shoes with having only one year left of high school.

You better believe I’ll be doing all I can to soak in every moment with this wonderful son of ours in the next 365 days, and I imagine you’ll see him featured on many posts to come.

Thank you for journeying with me!

Hugs to you as I go grab the Kleenex box,
Julie