Bittersweet Goodbyes......

Yesterday was Mads' last day of school and last day at Ascend.....and watching her in her element there with all of her friends, being her, and doing her thing, made me hope that she finds the same space in her new chapter.....She is strong in so many things, and the foundation of what she found there will serve her well all of her life.....she acclimated really well to the learning environment, and it spoke to her strengths, but also challenged her to rise up and push herself.....and as we transition to public school for her, I am hoping that the unique foundation she is bringing to it all helps her there, and doesn't alienate her in a way that makes her feel alone....she is used to lots of group work, and lots of autonomy and freedom, and independence in learning....and so this morning finds it all feeling really bittersweet and heavier than I expected.....Mads and I both arrived at the conclusion it was time to move on.....but yesterday made it hard....seeing all the folks we journeyed with.....some of them all of the time we have been there.....all of them being there through her dad leaving, etc......so.....it feels like a big part of Mads....and her friendships are tight and strong.....and plenty...she was a leader in that community and the kids looked up to her and now all we can do is go on our intuition.....and embrace the next chapter......the owner said the door is always open to us:) Which is so sweet.....so we are leaving on a good note....a high one....and I guess as I type that, with nothing to lose.....part of me is mourning it some.....she played outside a ton, in the woods.....was not chained to devices.....doing old fashioned kid stuff so often........and I am hoping her new teacher teaches a lot without technology....not in every bit of it at least...I teach with computers too at my school, but it is a good balance I feel....I want Mads to continue to be excited about learning....and taking on new tasks....and there is an apathy I see in some kiddos these days for those things....so I am leaning into that faith and trust I speak of so often this morning.....trusting the decision we made......knowing that what lies ahead of her is meant for her.....and that perhaps some of her best friends she will ever have will be sitting in that elementary school come fall just waiting on Mads to join them:) I am excited for the expanded opportunities she will have too.....band and chorus and clubs....she definitely will want to do OM I think for sure....and drama one day.....and so I am breathing through the transition.......trusting that my girl.....my brave fierce girl will rise to meet the next chapter, and continue to excel in all the ways she already has.....admiring her so much for being brave enough to leave her friends behind, ones she has had for so long.....and choosing growth over comfort.....and gosh I admire her for that......especially at her age, when friends are everything.....and she is good at standing up for herself and navigating friend stuff with grit and grace.....and so yea here we are! Summer officially having arrived, and Mads officially traveling another road.....and all of what she has experienced the last 4 years living deeply in her heart.....all of her life. Bittersweet stuff for sure for us....Go my girl GO.....I know that you will shine wherever you go and people will see the gifts that live within you:) Amen.......xoxo