As I was out for a walk today, I saw a woman struggling with a stroller. She was trying to get her clinging toddler into school with all the luggage of a baby too. A flood of emotion washed over me, when I realized that season of my life is so long gone. Of course, when I was in it, it was exhausting in a little bit impossible to appreciate. I love little kids and all the cuteness and tiny-ness about their body, their voice, their clothes. But the part is the new-ness of everything with them - so much growth and discover in those first three years for both of us.

What I was able to take away from this scene was a beautiful reminder that every part of life is just a season, made up of moments. And no matter how hard it feels, it’s temporary and fleeting – the suffering just as much as the joy. So as I step into this season of my life where my kids are in grade school I’m stopping to savor the excitement around the community we’ve made, the new activities and interests they are discovering and all the incredible growth and learning that is happening every day. Thank you teachers!

It’s also fitting that this is a time where the frenetic summer energy slows with the new routine, cooler weather and shorter days. Nature begs us to go inward and slow down. With it comes the prospect that you might just notice and appreciate something you haven’t before.