I don't take "lasts" very well.

Many of us are going through the same thing or similar things everywhere at various levels.
I was surprised to see that some people I know are dealing with this at the grandparent level!
The last couple of weeks has been full of "lasts".
A couple of weeks ago was the last talent show at the school that we would be involved with.
Last week the PSSC (Parent School Support Committee) had our last meeting of the year which also happened to be that last one forever for a couple of us.

I joined the Home and School and the PSSC because I wanted to be there to make a difference in our sons' education.
As with my joining Council, I hoped that my input, whether misguided or not, would make New Maryland Elementary School better not just for our kids but for every single boy and girl that ever walks through those doors.

There were so many meetings and so much stuff discussed at these meetings!
At the end of a long workday there was no way to avoid my eyes glazing over at times.
But I think I did what I had to do.
I think that I made a difference in that place.
And now it's over.

Our little monkey boys have their last day at New Maryland Elementary School tomorrow.

I really don't know how they feel about it.

How did I feel about when I was leaving one school to another? Truthfully I don't think I cared.

I do remember how nervous I was going into the new schools.
The main thing that made it okay for me was that I was going to a bigger school with kids from a bunch of other schools.
I knew a ton of kids from the other schools from Scouting, sports and other things.
Finally I could hang out with them!

But what of poor little NMES?
It's only a stone's throw from our back yard.
We'll always hear the bells go off as we do now.
But the bells won't be ringing for our little guys anymore.

And our little guys aren't those little guys anymore.

In only 6 years they have gone from being so small to growing up so much.

Yesterday we went to the family picnic. Our last at the school.
The principal came over to us sitting on our blanket and told us how proud he was of our guys.

There had been a few issues that had arisen over the past few years. Nothing serious but needing our attention.

Steve came over and told us that our boys had grown up so much and were great.
No more problems.

I can joke and say that he may have just said this since they were not his problem anymore after tomorrow but I know the truth.

These little guys have grown up an awful lot.
I don't like it but that's the way it is.

I will always call them Tiny and Boo even when they are over 6 feet tall and 25 years old.

I don't have to tell you that I have a very difficult time letting go of some things.

There are some things I will never let go of no matter how hard I try.

But I know that I have to let go and accept that these little guys aren't really little guys anymore.

But they'll always be my babies.

Stay well,
Tim


Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Could we please stop for a little while? Or just slow down?

I am the first to admit that I can be a little slow to pick up on things sometimes. This morning was another perfect example of this.

I was in the shower planning my day in my head when a sudden realization struck me. As I got out I said to Cheryl
"Did you realize that today is the last time we will ever see the boys in a Christmas show like this?"
She had already thought about this of course. (She's quite clever.)

I had not realised this until now. Suddenly I felt very sad. The next time I go to a show like this should be when I have grandchildren in it.



I can still picture that day just over 5 years ago in September 2003 when the boys were ready for their first day of Kindergarten at New Maryland Elementary School. I have a picture somewhere of them and their little backpacks with their snacks and supplies in them. They were so little and it really doesn't seem like that long ago to me.

Suddenly, they are 10 years old and in Grade 5! They will be gone from this school at the end of the school year! This is happening far too fast for me. I'm still digesting the fact that their shoes are as big as mine.

Why can't I slow this down? It's not fair. Our whole family has put so much into this school. I'm not ready to let go of it yet! When the boys started Kindergarten I joined the Home and School Association. I was President of that for 2 years. About 4 years ago I figured that I had too much free time on my hands (I'm joking, honest) and was elected onto the Parent School Support Committee.
I am still a member of both groups but I'm not as involved as before since getting onto Village Council and the boys being active in their music and sports.

It just feels so odd though that I have spent the last 5 years doing everything that I can to help make the school a better place, and they won't be there anymore. I feel good thinking that future students will be able to enjoy the fruits of our labours.

When I was president of the Home and School Association our huge accomplishment was getting the drainage problem and groundwork resolved in the Grades 1 and 2 playground. That was an enormous undertaking and a lot of money had to be raised.
In Ontario we were used to the fact that the school board took care of these things. In New Brunswick groups of parent volunteers raise money to look after the school grounds and equipment. That's hard to adjust to.

My legacy as Home and School President is the Grade 1 and 2 playground. It's not a swamp anymore.
I think I'll get a teeny tiny little plaque with my name on it. I'll go over one night and hide it in the gravel or on a tree.

Many years down the road maybe someone will realize how much the Scammells put into New Maryland Elementary School.
We will never forget how much we got out of it.

Tim