Life occasions often catch me by surprise. We roll along, busy as can be, doing the next thing on the list. And then, a defining moment jumps into our path, marking the passage of time, and life is never the same.

My youngest, Lauren, has just graduated from 7th grade. For her, it is a time of transition and change. Excitement and sadness. It is the same for me.

When Cedarwood’s graduating class gathered for the last time, it was a celebration of the end of an era. Most of us had been together for a long time. Moms got to know each other over cupcakes and field trips. We’ve shared joys, triumphs and tears. I have called on them for support when I’ve needed it and offered help when I could. We will not share the same kind of relationship going forward. The change is inevitable.

We won’t be sitting together in the bleachers for the Social Studies Fair. No buying Angel gifts for the holidays and making decorations for International Festival. In fact, for most of us, these are our youngest children. We are crossing bridges we’ll not encounter again as parents. There are a couple of exceptions to that—Ty has a 3-year-old brother and Savannah’s mom had a baby two weeks after graduation. Thinking of them fills me with mixed emotions. How in the world would I do it again? And—wouldn’t it be wonderful to try?

Congratulations to all of the recent graduates. Enjoy your summer, and get ready for fall’s new challenges! To the moms of Cedarwood’s seventh grade, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

ps… Lauren, you amaze me!