She isn’t at her post. An almost-fifth-grader is there instead – holding the familiar neon yellow flag while Madison chats carefree with friends.
It’s odd. This other girl crossing kids at Madison’s post. Standing where SHE used to stand – for weeks on end. For a moment, my mind flashes to those rainy days in the neon poncho. In those moments it felt like safety patrol would drag on forever. Wipers swishing back and forth as I waited in the car for her to finish her post.
But, it didn’t actually drag on forever. Nothing ever does. And now, here we are. She has passed her post on to another. The baton has changed hands in the Holden relay. Because our girl is moving on to another leg of the race.
Six years I’ve been watching her walk that pavement and go through those doors.
In two days she’ll do it for the last time. My Mad will say goodbye to our beloved elementary school. We’re just moments away from having another middle schooler. She’s ready. It’s time. We all feel it and know that it’s a good thing.
Life seasons.
One comes to a close. Another begins. This is the rhythm of life as we know it. As far back as King Solomon… “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
There is something both beautiful and achey about it all at the same time. My heart senses it and I try to embrace both the beauty and the ache. To let them both settle over me. I don’t want to chase either one away.
Until Wednesday when we “clap out” her class. And I cry. Then I’ll want to clobber the ache.
I’m just sayin.
