Firsts....Lasts...

My youngest is about to finish elementary school and while this has been a roller coast year and I thought I was so ready for the next step - I find myself starting to get emotional about all the "lasts" we're going through. I'm tired of all the fund-raising; the bake sales, car washes, pasta dinners, soliciting of donations, etc. I'm tired of all the parent volunteering and involvement. I feel like 5th grade consumes more of my time than my paying job! I've been quoted saying "I'm so done with this school." But just as life flashes before your eyes, I'm staring to get mushy and sad about the end of these things. No. I don't want to do them anymore, but "I'm never going to do them again" is weighing heavily on my heart and mind. My daughter is growing up. I will never have to do ____ again. I'm starting to have nightmares and crying fits in the middle of the day. It's so bittersweet. While I'm glad the demands on my time are coming to an end, I'm starting to feel sad that my needs (in that way) are no longer needed. I will just be another house on the street - not Mrs. ____'s house. I'm crying as I write this... I'm happy for my children to grow up and become their own responsible adults, but I'm sad to see into the future where one day, they'll fly the coop.