Time to Wake Up

"So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost"
 - Avicci, Wake Me Up song lyrics


"They say, find a purpose in your life and live it. But, sometimes, it is only after you have lived that you recognize your life had a purpose, and likely one you never had in mind."  Khaled Hosseini, And the Mountains Echoed

William started fifth grade today - his last "first" day of elementary school. I dropped Daniel off at his second grade line with a hug and a sigh of relief (transitions were TOUGH this year) and meandered over to fifth grade where I stood a respectable distance away from my child so he would not be embarrassed. I was touched and gratified when one of the fifth grade teachers said it was time to blow a kiss and leave - and William actually blew me a kiss! So of course I returned it and was so glad I had wandered over.

Meanwhile, Aden is off to 7th grade. She was confident last night and a bit nervous this morning but had a good energy. She walked down to the bus with a good friend and I think for her this year will be so much easier than the last, when everything was a first.  Which leaves me - at home and childfree. I am more quietly pleased about this than I have been before. Our summer was lovely, and feels like a ripe peach not yet fallen to the ground but still swaying gently on the tree. I am not quite ready for it to be over, the parks and pools and playdates, the leisurely meals and snacks, and the more open schedule.

But I am glad to move on, wake myself up, and pursue some interests that may or may not turn out to be part of my 'purpose.' Right now I am wandering over to Stanford's online writing program to try to register for a course in poetry. Then off to the pool, an appointment, and the ever-necessary grocery store. I'm not as lost as I once was, though still in the process of finding myself. We'll see if I land in an unexpected place, though knowing a touch about life, I can almost guarantee it.