Senior year is officially under way.
Catherine is no longer a “rising senior”; she’s the real deal.
The bus just ferried her away. I hid among the trees and bushes and snapped this photo of her walking to the bus stop:
And then I stood in the yard and watched until I couldn’t see the bus any longer.
Under the circumstances, I think I showed incredible restraint.
I wanted to walk with her this morning — had even showered and dressed so I wouldn’t offend — but she made it clear that was not OK. (Basil offered to accompany her wearing his pajamas, but that was also forbidden.)
I didn’t stand on the corner and wave as I used to when the middle school bus went past our driveway.
And I won’t sit on the front lawn in a beach chair waiting for her return as I did the first day of sixth grade when it turned out she got off at the wrong bus stop.
This morning there was hair. And makeup. And a cute new outfit. Preparations were lengthy and intense; the result was breathtaking, and I’m betting it’s not just the Mom in me talking:
It’s a big year, full of exciting milestones and experiences for her. My heart is bursting just thinking about it all.
And yet, in my mind’s eye, the Catherine who walked to the bus stop this morning still looked like this:
Catherine and Basil walk to the bus stop on the first day of kindergarten.
Pushing on a Rope 
Awww, it is truly hard to be prepared for their adulthood. They will always be our babies. Catherine is so pretty and I wish her all the best. You are not alone, my baby is 16, still a baby in so many ways, from a mother’s point of view I guess.
Posted by Susan | September 3, 2013, 8:18 amyes, they will always be babies to us! Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | September 3, 2013, 8:20 amI think all of us who have had that senior year moment understand your beautiful post and the need to hide behind a tree taking a picture of the moment. Raising children is full of their milestones which act as milestones in our own life. I hope she had a good first day. Visiting from Super Sunday Sync.
Posted by Debbie @ Deliciously Inspired | September 1, 2013, 8:38 amThanks so much for stopping by. I think I’ll be hiding behind a lot of trees this year!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | September 1, 2013, 8:42 amAwwww!! How sweet that you got that last picture, and she looks fabulous for her first day. Congrats on Senior year, that’s the best one of all!
I’ve got one who will be a Freshman on Tuesday. 🙂
Thanks for linking up to Super Sunday Sync.
Posted by Rosey | September 1, 2013, 8:05 amThank you! Freshman year is just as exciting … in a different way. Hope it is a good one!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | September 1, 2013, 8:11 amThey do grow up so fast, but it’s exciting to think about the next chapter in her life.
Posted by bettyl | August 30, 2013, 10:36 pmAbsolutely!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | August 31, 2013, 3:30 pmIt’s not just you Mom. She looks beautiful in her yellow dress with collar. wait, when did she grow up 😉
I see that you’re a searching adoptee. Assuming that you were the one adopted? I was adopted but haven’t started searching… yet.
Thanks for linking up to my weekly BlogLovin Hop (http://www.journeysofthezoo.com/search/label/BlogLovin%20Hop). Hope you’ve made some new friends and will stop by every Thursday. I’m a new follower of yours.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
BlogLovin: http://www.bloglovin.com/journeysofthezoo
Posted by journeysofthezoo | August 30, 2013, 6:21 pmHi Sarah:
Thanks for stopping by and for the follow. I’m actually a recently reunited adoptee. You can follow my story in the posts here: https://pushingonarope.com/category/adoption/.
Heading over to visit you now…
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | August 30, 2013, 7:13 pmAnd somewhere deep in your heart, she always will look that way!
Posted by momshieb | August 27, 2013, 8:45 pmYup!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | August 28, 2013, 6:27 amJust think of how you’ll feel this time next year when college starts!! Our senior year starts on Thursday. Hope it goes by slow, but I’m sure it will not. All the best to Catherine. I’m sure she’ll have a great senior year.
Posted by Mike Colaluca | August 27, 2013, 12:00 pmThanks, Mike; hope senior year goes smoothly at your house, too. No chance it will move slowly, though!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | August 27, 2013, 12:25 pmIt’s not just Mom speaking. Catherine looked gorgeous. It’s so hard to realize they’re adults. I looked at Will as we sat at Rachel’s graduation in June and felt like it was a few weeks ago that he was heading off to kindergarten. Now his daughter is a high school graduate.
You did well not following her.
Posted by Karen Waggoner | August 27, 2013, 11:57 am🙂
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | August 27, 2013, 12:24 pmLike the song, From a Jack to a King, from kindergarten to high school, from “Catherine” to a “Queen” each one precious moments for us moms to cherish til eternity! How beautiful your girl is! May Catherine always be blessed and filled with much love and happiness and forever be safe!
Posted by Norma | August 27, 2013, 11:31 amYou are too kind! Thank you!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | August 27, 2013, 12:25 pmI am going thru the same thing with my Ali. I can’t believe how grown up they seem to be all of a sudden. Still feels like we just graduated – can’t possible be our babies!
Posted by Joelle | August 27, 2013, 9:57 amJoelle: I’m absolutely certain we just graduated … until I look in the mirror! Hope senior year goes smoothly at your house.
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | August 27, 2013, 10:45 amThis brought tears to my eyes. She is so beautiful and I hope she has an amazing year!
Posted by Pat Snider | August 27, 2013, 9:37 amThanks!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | August 27, 2013, 10:44 am