Push and Pull

Life is tugging at me. Pushing me and pulling me in all ways possible. I feel the call of summer pushing me forward, pushing me toward it in such a way where I want to rush through these next two weeks as quickly as can be.  Then there is an ending that is pulling me away, pulling me in such a way where I must slow down and take in each precious moment before it melts away into summer.  This ending is near  and boy is it bittersweet.

Throughout the past few weeks I have been trying to prepare myself for it, yet whenever I slow down enough to really think about it, my eyes fill with tears and I find a lump in my throat so big that I know without a doubt that something magical is coming to a close. Those of you who know me well know I am not a lover of goodbyes, therefore having difficulty saying goodbye to Mason as a preschooler shall come as no surprise.

Our little ol' tent pitched under the zipline between the spiderweb structure and the honeysuckle.
Ellie's guitar resting from a night of campfire concerts. We brought home a bunch of sand and a whole lot of memories.

Last week we spent the night at the preschool campout.  The ground was hard, the wind was cold, and the next work day was incredibly long and extended into an art show after school. I wouldn't have traded the experience in for a night's sleep at home.  I don't know that I can describe the feeling I get from being in a place that is just so right.  I found myself slowing down to take in many moments that night and morning. The quote painted on the sunflower mural of the school wall reads, "How could this day be any better?"  A boy in Mason's class spoke these words this year and they are SO true and powerful they painted this mural a month ago.

"How could this day be any better?"

When you find people and places that allow you shine as your true self, allow you to grow and take risks, you must jump in and savor every moment.

I recently was asked to write a few words to add to an end of the year book one of the moms was putting together.  I avoided it until I could wait no longer.  I knew I wanted to write something, but the words would not come.  Perhaps by not writing, the ending could wait a bit more.

Last weekend I asked Mason, "What do you like about your preschool?"  From there my words finally came.

Mason,

We have struggled to capture the right words we needed to write what we have loved about your preschool experiences.  When I asked you, you said, “I love the whole entire preschool!” 

We are so alike.  How can we simply pick one or even a few things about it?  The magic of the preschool relies on it all.  From the creations you have built, to the play you have had, campouts, parties, toilet paper day, the friends, the mommies and daddies, and all your teachers we have truly lived the good life these past 3 years.

As you move forward you have such a strength and love of life you bring from this special place. It will always be a part of you and us.

We love you,

Mommy, Daddy, and Ellie

As we look out to what lies before us, I am pulled by my desire to stay and my hope for what the future holds. May we always surround ourselves with people and places that make us stop and wonder, "How could this day be any better?"