Good-bye Taylor Elementary

Tuesday, May 19th, was Jonas's 5th Grade Promotion program. One of the greatest privileges of my life is to watch each of the kids grow...and eventually go. I have only been a part of the other kids lives for (almost) 14 years (if we count from when I met them the first time), but it has been a honor to be a part of Jonas's life from the beginning. As I have loved each of the kids, it was hard to let them go, especially the more time I got to have them at home...so you can imagine how hard it will be for me with Jonas. I want to keep him close, but the greatest thing he can do (and sincerely what I want for him...even if it's hard for me) is to find his own space in the world...and he is.We are so proud of him! We are proud of the consistent effort he has put into his academics over the last 6 years at Taylor Elementary and the student/classmate he has been. I can't believe we're closing the chapter on elementary school altogether! When Danny left the school, I knew I would be back, but today was most likely the last time I will ever step foot in that school. It felt weird knowing that as I exited the doors. And yes, I cried during Jonas's promotion. I tried to hold it back because I didn't want Jeff to tease me, but as I heard the kids sing "For Good" and looked at all the classmates Jonas has been in classes with over the years, I couldn't help but shed a tear or two. Jonas has had some awesome experiences at Taylor...and he's had some learning and stretching experiences too. In two more days, he will walk out of that school to probably never return again. I'm grateful for the teachers and staff who have cared about not only his academic performance, but about him as an individual. I'm grateful for the kids who have showed him kindness and even the kids who have taught him patience and the value of a sincerely delivered apology. As I listened to the students talk about the school's motto (R.O.A.R - Reach for your potential, Own up, Accept everyone, and Remember who you represent), I realized how valuable those lessons have been for the last 6 years...and how integral they will be for the next 7. Jonas embodies what it means to be a Taylor Tiger. He always strives to be better and do better. He accepts responsibility for his actions and tries to make amends if necessary. He tries hard to be kind to everyone. And he always remembers who he represents - he is a Taylor Tiger, but more than that, he is a Southwick...and most importantly, he is a child of God. I'm excited to see what new adventures will greet him in the coming years. I'm sure he will have some epic moments, and I'm sure he'll have moments he would rather forget. I just hope he remembers they are all moments. Jeff and I enjoyed watching Jonas quickly (and I mean quickly! I barely got a photo.) take his place on the "podium" to be recognized as a "graduate" from Taylor. Laurin and the kids came too. Laurin made Jonas a fun ribbon lei with the school colors - blue and orange. Carter and Everly shouted Jonas's name as he was recognized. And just like that...it was over. We snapped a few photos after the program then Jonas ran off with his friends to enjoy the rest of the school day at the Payson Pool. That evening, Jeff and I took him out for a nice dinner of his choice. Even though he kept reminding us that this wasn't a "real" graduation, we still wanted to celebrate him. Way to go Jonas! Good-bye Taylor...and hello Valley View Middle School.

Thursday, May 21st, was his actual last day of school. I have been weepy all week. I just want to savor all of this! I don't want him to grow up too fast...but I seem to have little control over that. I flipped through all Jonas's first-day-of-school pictures from preschool to 5th grade. Where did my little boy go? Don't get me wrong, I'm also very excited about the new pages of adventures he will write, but I am mourning this chapter that is closing. I saw this post on Instagram that summed up how I felt: "Everyone else is celebrating the graduate. And you are too. But somewhere deep inside, you are also saying goodbye to every younger version of them you carried along the way. This is the strange grief of faithful motherhood: you grieve not because something has gone wrong, but because something precious has done exactly what it was meant to do. They grew. They became. They are beginning to leave childhood behind and you heart is trying to rejoice and mourn in the same breath." We took Jonas's last day of school photos (then compared them to his first day), and I watched him get on the elementary bus for the very last time. I remember the first time that large, yellow beast swallowed him whole. I was sad then and a little sad now. That's the wonderful beauty of being a mom. Jeff and I (because I still haven't unlocked the skill of driving with my leg brace and crutches) picked Jonas up after school and took him to Dairy Queen (his choice). And just like that...summer is here! I'm super grateful that he'll have a few weeks with already planned activities as June starts because I'm still limited in what I can do, but I'm definitely motivated to get better so we can have fun this summer. Bring on all the events, holidays, endless nights, and fabulous fun of summer!

From preschool to kinder to 5th grade