Late-Summer Thoughts

The crazy schedule has begun! It's hard to believe DQ is a sophomore this year. The courses she's taking are difficult, to say the least - she's in her second year of Latin, plus this year she has to participate in "Sophomore Service" where she volunteers for several hours each quarter and then has to write a paper on her experience. She's so happy at this school, and for that I am very grateful. When she was walking down the school hallway this afternoon, I noticed how breathtakingly beautiful she has become. She walked with such grace (well, as much grace as she could muster with a twenty pound backpack on her back) and her eyes were smiling when she caught sight of me. What a difference a year makes!

TP is winding down her summer jobs - she'll be all done on Saturday with both. She has several things scheduled for next week - a hair appointment, lunches with friends, a visit to her old high school, and packing. Eight days and counting. . .

I'm holding up better than I thought I would under the circumstances. Of course, I'm trying very hard to NOT think about what it's going to be like without DQ around. Already, the rhythm of family life has changed in subtle ways, while at the same time, the summer is quickly fading into fall. Nostalgia comes at unexpected times, and washes over me while I quickly try to not suffocate from the catch in my throat.

This is a season of my life which I mistakenly thought would take its' time in getting here. I'm still totally amazed that it snuck up on me like it did, much like when, all of the sudden, you realize that it's getting dark at 7:30 p.m. rather than at 10:00p.m.

Blogging will be light over the next few days, as I spend these fleeting moments with TP and help DQ settle into a routine. My girls. . . how I love them so!