Firsts and Lasts

As parents we mark milestones along the way for our children, first tooth, first step, first word. Jennifer and I have been no different than others in this regard. Time passes though so that the routine becomes habit settling us into not always recognizing what passes as milestones.

A few days ago, we received a reminder in email the annual family picnic will take place for daycare in a matter of days. This is an event we have attended every year. We gather together with the other parents, and sometimes, grandparents, of the children who attend daycare with Hannah in an open area for a picnic during lunchtime. The first year, Hannah, not able to walk yet, rode there in a big over sized buggy with some of her classmates. The other years, she has either held our hand or walked alongside her friends to this event. We have lunched together then watched Hannah interact with her teachers and friends.

These have been good memories. Still, it struck us this particular picnic would be our last family picnic for Hannah in daycare. Next year, kindergarten awaits.

This has made another thing come into focus for us as parents that even at Hannah’s young age it becomes time to experience, the lasts. Cliché to say, but time flies, doesn’t it? Just a few years ago, on a cold January morning, we dropped Hannah off at daycare for the first day. Now as I drop her off every day I sometimes think how next year at this time, this routine that has become a habit will be different. We are going through a whole new series of events but these aren’t the firsts, these are the lasts.

Life is change, constantly moving. Memory is captured, immobile, stationary. One seems a bit more up in the air and the other seems a bit more certain. Maybe the certainty of a memory makes us a bit more hesitant to let go and accept the change that is inevitable.

So, ready or not we knowingly begin this tour of lasts. Last picture day at daycare, last Trick or Treat at daycare, last Christmas party at daycare, last Valentines party at daycare, last water day at daycare, last day of daycare. On that last day of daycare, I will pick her up from there for the final time and usher her, her mom and into a world of new firsts. I’m sure it won’t be the last time.