I was doing so well. “Yes, the homeschool life is nearly over but that is OK,” I told myself. We will be just as we were. Just the same only I won’t have to spend hours documenting and taking attendance. Really, attendance for home education is such a strange concept.
Regardless, I really thought I had it together. I was all in. I was ready for my sweet young babies to become adults.
And then the box showed up from the HSLDA today.
It caught me by surprise. I was certain the getting the legal names inked onto the diplomas would take a few weeks longer. But there it was on the porch.
I opened it to see if it was the full order and there they were: two identical sets of hats and tassles and stickers to go on the diplomas; and, yes, two diplomas.
In this toilet paper-scarce world we find ourselves, I am in the habit of purchasing ahead of time. You never know what might happen and we need graduation day supplies. But I really did not want that box to come this soon.
Now I look at the box, over there in the corner on top of the printer in my office that is the little corner of my bedroom and, BOOM, it has hit. My babies are not babies any longer.
I know that this hits every mama out there, eventually. I just always thought I would be able to handle it. I thought wrong.
My job is almost over. It has been my primary purpose since the day they were born. They have been my everything. The first thing I think of in the morning and the last worry I have before bed. Everything is about my kids.
I think that I found something else in that box from the HSLDA: 18 years of memories.
Do you know the heartache?
I am so thankful for those memories; it really is only by God’s grace that we are here at this point today.
I think it is time to look forward, but first we must get through the next month and celebrate the end – with the box.
Kristen
How does everything look? I was just thinking I need to purchase a diploma for our oldest soon. His official last day of school is in Mid-June. I was thinking of HSLDA or looking at what the Crew has reviewed over the years. I think there were a few companies who provided graduation materials.
Kirsten
The quality is really good! It has the look and feel of what I remember back in those days before electricity when I graduated from high school. 🙂 Good paper, great calligraphy, foil stamps look great and even the case for the diploma is good and heavy. Also the tassle and cap look and feel right. I do remember you are right about a number of companies with similar products that the crew reviewed. I think our friend at Homeschool Coffee Break was one of the crew members a number of years ago who reviewed one of the graduation materials companies. She might have some good feedback. 🙂
Shanxi
Congratulations! As a homeschool alumna, I’m in awe of everything my parents did and sacrificed over the years to give me what I believe was the best possible educational experience I could have had.
Now I’m starting on the other side and homeschooling my young children. So grateful for you and the many homeschool trailblazers who came before us!
Kirsten
I am so glad to meet a homeschool alumna and second generation homeschooling parent!! I think you will have a much easier time as you grew up in the life. I wish you all the best!!
Dana
Oh! I sure know what you’re feeling. 😭