What a ride

Parenting has been, continues to be, and will be (I know) the most amazing ride possible.  In this episode, my daughter runs for office in the elementary school Student Council and wins her position.   And, that’s so cool.  She worked hard, took it seriously, and achieved a goal — yay!  But, more than that, I had a time travel moment while watching the speeches.  The other 4th graders who were running were actually the sources of it.  They stood there, making their speeches, being funny and serious at once.  And, I could clearly see the kindergarteners that they were just a few short years ago standing next to them.  So, I saw my daughter, with her cute outfit and fun haircut standing by the long-haired pixie she was back then — who wore dresses with leggings underneath as she ran around the school.  Her best buddy Kaya was there who has learned over the years to accept disappointment with something approaching grace and that came in handy yesterday when she did not win her office.  And, Nolan, who I remember as a sweet, shy boy who drew the most beautiful pictures in the art lessons I taught that class — he had the whole upper grades give him a “Whoop-whoop” as he made a dancing analogy for how his presidency would run things.  Where does the time go?  I don’t know but I do know that my heart burst with pride yesterday — not just for my daughter but for all those former kindergarteners who have achieved so much and still have so very much left to achieve.  What a ride!