Amazing Witness

January 13, 2018

I drove past Greenwich Town Hall my eldest beside me, as tall as me, looking like me at 13 on the brink of high school on the brink of life, and you unfolding to you. I feel like I was just there I said, to enroll you in kindergarten and here we are with you starting high school in the fall…

I remember the tile floor and sitting on the wooden bench in the hall like a church pew, waiting for my name to be called, papers in hand to enroll my baby in kindergarten. My baby. My baby who now babysits, is a camp counselor, and student, and athlete, and friend, confidant, and daughter. My baby whose impersonations have me laughing until the tears come, and whose grace and wisdom, and poise at the tender age of 13 has me touched until the tears come.

I left the parent information at session and stepped into the night air off to a basketball practice pick up for my youngest… having learned about AP classes, and electives, the International Baccalaureate program, and college counselors – my mind spinning, my heart bursting in awe, in gratitude, and a touch of sadness….

These children we hold cupped in our hands are growing. These children we place before this world are becoming their great and glorious selves. And to bear witness to that growing is a tremendous privilege and honor, the greatest gift this life can offer.

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