I began last week as the mother of a kindergartner and a third grader. And then I ended the week with a first and fourth grader.

At this time of year, I find it necessary to ignore all the well meaning writing teachers who tell me not to use cliches.

Where does the time go?

It was only yesterday.

Time flies.

But really…

One day last week, as the girls and I were walking home from school, they asked if they could walk the rest of the way on their own. With a big sigh, I acknowledged that they were ready to do just that.

The blurry picture above is of the girls, headed home, without me.

The future walking ahead of me.

And then just as I was getting a bit sad about the whole thing, I was brought back to reality. Before these little girls are truly grown, I will have to make it through ‘tweendom’ and teenage-hood.

Caroline became furious that we ended up walking the last block together. She thought I didn’t trust her. That I didn’t think she was grown up enough. Somehow, my big grown up girl neglected to realize that if you are both going to the same place, the end of your walk will be together.

Perhaps there’s a cliche in that too…