third story(ies)
Menu
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • HOUSE TOUR
    • PROJECT ADDITION / “PROJECT BACK POCKET”
  • LET’S EAT
  • (STORY)TIME
  • AROUND TOWN
  • MAKING
  • ADMIRING
    • blogs i love
Menu

new story(ies)

Posted on August 11, 2014 by thirdstoryies

2014-08-11_1407724338
This morning is different.

Different schedules, as we shift from 8:30am start times to 7:00am bells. There is an hour and a half difference between the girls’ school starts, and so we test out two breakfast tables versus one. Our single batch of oatmeal looked tasty on the table at 6:30; F and I decided it wasn’t so great reheated at 7:15. So we’ll adjust.

Different schools, as I drop E off on the sidewalk and she files into the double doors with kids her size and twice her size. The line is backed up from the metal detector, and I watch her shift from one foot to the other to calm her nerves while she waits. I kind of hope she’ll look back and wave, but I know she won’t. She’s looking straight ahead and paying attention. We’re left behind, but we’ll adjust.

Different paths, as we go through her schedule and see the classes she signed up for without our input. We are so used to having a voice in the makeup of her day, her school, her teachers, her activities, her friends. We’ve worked so hard, and thought so hard, about each one of these decisions along the way. They aren’t necessarily the easiest ones, or the least expensive, or the most traditional, but they all share a common thread of being well considered. She will be taking responsibility for more and more of these decisions, and we will step back and support them and let her find her own way. It’s going to get tricky sometimes, but we’ll adjust.

We cleaned out her room last night, and sorted the papers and projects of her past school adventures – tucking a few things away into bins for safekeeping, recycling the rest. Even after she was fast asleep I kept returning to her room, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at her clean desk. Trying to imagine what she’ll do at that desk this year, and the seven years to come. Trying to imagine what she’ll do outside of this space, outside the comfort and protection of this little corner of the attic we’ve carved out for her. Wondering what stories of her own she’ll write.

I’ve been writing stories here for ages and ages, but the girls are writing more and more of them on their own now. It’s a little bittersweet, but mostly sweet these days.

I’m used to holding the pen, but I’ll adjust.

3 thoughts on “new story(ies)”

  1. Becky says:
    August 11, 2014 at 8:28 am

    I love that line “I kind of hope she’ll look back and wave, but I know she won’t.” Brings back memories… You will all do well! Love you all! Mom

    Reply
    1. Kristin says:
      August 11, 2014 at 9:27 am

      I know – I thought of that. She will do well. She just looked tiny filing in with all the middle AND high schoolers. But I know she won’t look tiny for long.
      Kristin recently posted…new story(ies)My Profile

      Reply
  2. Becky V says:
    August 11, 2014 at 4:32 pm

    This was a tear jerker!!! How exciting to start middle school though. We’re excited to start school next week (especially since my energy level is non-existent) and look forward to all the school prep events! Orientation, meet the teachers, and the BBQ. Each year Ethan gets older, this school thing gets a little more real. Can’t imagine what it will be like watching him go to middle school.
    Becky V recently posted…Gray & Yellow with Geometric Shapes Baby Boy Nursery Mood BoardMy Profile

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Welcome!

Welcome.

This is a blog about an old house with a new life (and all the lives within it). There are plenty of stories to tell.

Recent Comments

  • Susan on CONTACT
  • Kristin on what’s next?
  • Jennifer Fairchild on what’s next?
  • Sue J. on what’s next?
  • Jamie on modern victorian terrace garden – part three, design
  • Kristin on CONTACT
  • Kim on CONTACT
  • ivana on admiring: sun print tiles
  • Kristin on the garden part of the garden, part two
  • Sue J. on the garden part of the garden, part two
August 2014
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Jul   Sep »

Recent Posts

  • what’s next?
  • the garden part of the garden, part two
  • the garden part of the garden, part one
  • front garden, next steps: pebble mosaic
  • holiday letter 2020

Archives

Categories

  • (story)time
  • admiring
  • general
  • holiday story(ies)
  • house tour
  • let's eat
  • letters to my loves
  • local haunts
  • making
  • party(ies)
  • project addition
  • renovation
  • Uncategorized
©2021 third story(ies) | Design by Superb