I originally wrote this two years ago, just days before Oldest’s first day of kindergarten. Like a bad penny, I keep bringing it back. This year feels like an even larger step as Youngest moves up to three days a week for preschool, plus recreation soccer league.
Oh, my heart.
Ode to a Sharpie
I find you tucked in the back of the junk drawer.
You’ve been waiting for this moment all summer long.
I’ve been dreading it.
But now, it’s your turn to shine.
Somehow my hands inscribe Oldest’s name on his backpack, his lunch box, his jacket.
Your indelible ink will ensure that all of sweet boy’s precious items will be returned to their rightful owner.
I wonder if my first born would mind if I wrote “Mama” on his forehead?
- may your school year start off well and your Sharpie never run dry.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel the same way each year, and my kid’s going into second grade next month. I always assume it’s because I’m an overly-sentimental kind of chick… maybe it’s just a Mom Thing.
Hang in there! I’ll be the same way in another couple of weeks.
Awww… i really really wish that the school year goes well for the little one….
all the best
Oh…yes.
And of course, the Sharpie is in the wayyyyy back of the junk drawer, never to be stumbled upon accidentally.
I’m glad you reposted this. Love it!
My oldest starts kindergarten next week.
Am I the only one who cannot wait for the start of the school year? 6 days and counting!!! **Happy dance**
Sharpie. One of man’s GREATEST inventions! And I panicked when I couldn’t find ours! Thank heavens the panic was short-lived when I found it! The heavens parted and light descended and I swear I heard the angels singing!
It was a glorious moment.
I feel badly because every other mom on the planet seems to be sad about their kids going to school…I can’t wait for my twins to start kindergarten—don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’ll cry a bit, but I’m so ready for some “me” time, and for them to start learning about life without me. Le Sigh. I must be a horrid mother.
Beautiful. Awesome. Fantastic. Magnificent.
All of the above.
The fall brings out the labile in me, also.
I’ve been working on a post for this week on the very same thing….the time slips through your fingers so quickly.
This was truly one for the misty eyes.
I loved it, in case I didn’t gush enough.
I want to print and frame it.
Lovely. I want to write his name on my kid, too. I want to write: ‘Don’t you dare hurt him” next to his name. I want my love to be a scary-ass tattoo to keep the creeps away.
Overprotective much?
I loved this post. Also loving the clean design of your blog. I want to jump ship to WordPress but know pieces of my blog will shatter and rain down on my head. Did you do it yourself? Now back to Sharpies: I used to work in film, so they were omnipresent. But now, I have a bag of them as well hidden as would the bag of weed be if we ever had such a thing. Mischievous child + permanent marker = bad, bad, things.
I REALLY like this Ash…write “Mama” on his forehead..my sentiments exactly! Love this ode. Good Luck to you. My son just started Kinder today and my daughter starts preschool next week:)
That is so sweet. Though I have to admit that it was with very little sadness or nostalgia that Punky was carted off to second grade this year . . .
Bittersweet for sure. I know they have to grow up, but I hate it.
So, so lovely. You’re going to make me cry, you know. It never gets easier, that very first day of sending them off. My girls are teenagers now and every year as the school year looms closer and closer, I feel this grief fold in around my heart.
My big girl is going away for her second year of college. We move her up on Saturday. I can’t even think about it without the tears coming. I can feel it in my bones. I know she won’t be back next summer. It’s her time to leave the nest. She hasn’t said so, but I know. Mothers always do.
OK, gotta go find my tissues.
This is definitely worthy of bringing back each year. I love the last thought in particular.
Second Grade (gulp!)
It’s exciting but definitely goes by too fast.
Awww…this made me teary eyed! Sharpies do the same thing to me! I thought doing the Sharpie thing in bright bold colors would ease the sting, but it didn’t…
We are homeschooling and I still get the butterflies on the first day of school even though they’re still with me!
My 27 year old son is coming to Austin and visit Labor Day weekend, maybe I’ll write “mama” on his forehead while he’s sleeping off the margaritas I’m sure we’ll over indulge in.
The last two left in the nest will head of to 8th and 9th grade monday in this new great state of Texas. We are all happy to head off to be with new people come next week.
Maddy isn’t even three yet and I am dreading kindergarten, all while counting down the days too. It is an interesting thing being a mom and having these conflicting emotions always swirling.
Wonderful. “Oh, my heart” describes how I’ve been feeling these past few weeks, as I anticipate the start of kindergarten for my youngest.
I was going to write a post about my sharpie love and you have inspired me to get on it. I don’t know how to explain the love affair. Just this weekend I bought a collection of Sharpies in the color of the rainbow. Today I am writing with my Sharpie pen. Basically you my dear are my Sharpie loving twin.