Hi Neighbor!

Have you read Middle Schooled? Andy Mullen, a guidance counselor in TE district, has compiled ‘a best of’ weekly emails he’s sent to parents through the years.  His writing is funny, poignant, relevant and relatable, and his gem of a book is organized by the school calendar—September through June—so it’s an easy reference grab when you need it.  Yes, I’m a mom of two middle schoolers, but Andy’s suggestions are universally helpful for any caring parent/grandparent/human.

In his opening section, Family Time, Andy remembers a dad who, at the time of his daughter’s graduation, is overcome with sadness, saying, “I missed it.  I missed all of it.”

This struck me.  Not because I think I’m missing all of it, which is a relief.  But to crush it with a cliché here, these years do fly by.  They really move.  I sometimes worry that I haven’t done enough with my daughters.  They’re taller than I am, now, and I still haven’t shown them . . . everything!

Another school year is soon to end, and we will create the Family Summer Bucket List.  I’ll tell you, good intentions abound in June, and then, as it happens, there’s a strong possibility that I’ll be rummaging the recycling in September; I’ll come across the unchecked list and will then wallow in parental failure.

But for now, we take the time to at least imagine all that we can do together.  We may not hit everything on the list, but for now, it’s NOW.
Trying not to miss it,
Katie L