Some people get weepy and sentimental on the first day of school.  It is a milestone, the start of something new.  For me it is the end of the school year and culminating events.  This past month there have been a lot of those- the 8th grade graduation the kindergartners I began with in Dorchester, saying “see you later” to a few coworkers who have made great contributions at work (past and present), seeing all the kids on stage performing Beauty and the Beast (and their pride in their success), a dance recital, an awards ceremony, Bren’s birthday.  For me, the passage of time is marked with endings.

What made me the most teary eyed?  Aidan’s last day of first grade.  All our uncertainty of how his first year in a public school would be.  All our uncertainty about if this would be the right decision.  All our uncertainty if he would be ok.  It was clear in the first few weeks (days, even), that it was better than we ever imagined.

I happened to have Maureen’s car when I dropped Aidan off on his last day.  We pulled up to the door.  He unbuckled his seat belt, gave me a kiss, told me to have a great day.  Then he open the door (himself, no child locks), bounced out and ran off after his friends.  And I sat there with tears welling up in my eyes.

What a great year.  What a fast year.  What a happy year.

Last Day of First Grade.