Back to School for the First and Last Time

By Barbara Gobbi

“Back To School” is such an exciting time for kids and parents. “Back To School” means picking out new clothes and backpacks, seeing your old friends again after a three month break, and…. homework.

This year in particular, I am especially emotional. My oldest child will enter her last year of high school, and my baby will enter her first year of elementary school. How different these experiences will be for these two girls!

• One will pick out a new backpack; she requests Doc McStuffins. The other will be driving her new car on the first day of school.

• One will wear a school uniform (thank the Lord!) and carry a lunch box. The other will fight with me every day over her clothes and make up.

• One will make her first best friend. The other will come to me when that boy breaks her heart.

• One will learn to write and do lots of things with glue and glitter. The other will take SAT tests and fill out college applications.

• One will have recess. The other will have football games and prom. If you’re looking for senior prom dresses 2022, check out Peaches Boutique.

I can’t help but reflect on all that we’ve been through the past 12 years since my oldest daughter started her first year of elementary school and all that she’s witnessed while growing up.

• We moved three times, and she changed schools four.

• Our country was attacked when terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

• The U.S. entered several wars and her dad went to Iraq for four months.

• We survived four hurricanes.

• She welcomed a new brother with special needs and a baby sister needing constant attention.

• We endured middle school bullying, first kisses, and peer pressure.

As one daughter enters adulthood, I can only pray that during the past 12 years, we did a good enough job to build a woman of character and integrity, who is now confident and secure enough to go out and conquer the world.

For my baby, we have the opportunity to start over and not repeat any mistakes we may have made as parents with the oldest. When we are sad about this being the last “Back To School” for our senior daughter, I remind my husband that we are starting all over again. We still have 12 more “Back To School” years to go!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Scroll to Top