This year the back-to-school tears for the ones missing school started early, while school supply shopping last month. Our youngest started middle school this year. With no more kids in elementary school, there were no crayons on any of our school supply lists. Quinn would have started kindergarten. Quinn would have needed crayons. But I didn't have to buy crayons. I never imagined crying over crayons. But here we are.
Our oldest started the school year off with the annual high school overnight outdoor education field trip at camp last week. Elena would have started high school. Elena would have gone to high school outdoor ed for the first time. But I didn't have to pack her things.
And here we are on the official first day of school. Incredibly blessed and deeply thankful for three growing boys at an amazing school. And deeply aching for the missing freshman and the missing kindergartner who didn't get to join their brothers on the first day.
"Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:1-3
