End Of A Era

This time next week will bring the conclusion of a duty I have been doing for what seems like a century, but in fact has only been 12 years.

In 2012, when Robyn was accepted into the lottery to attend the then Newton County Theme School (NCTS), I knew I would have to commit to drop offs and pick ups as long as she was there. That wasn’t a problem, I would figure it out if she liked the school atmosphere. She had attended a private school for pre-school and this would be likened to it, just five days a week instead of three.

A few weeks in, Robyn was quite comfortable and I loved, loved, loved her kindergarten teacher Susan Ballard, now retired. She was the right amount of sweet and salt, soft and hard, business and play. I could sense “the mother” in her teaching and appreciated that. After that year and a good first grade year, Robyn had acclimated to school quite well so I knew we would stay there. And so began my affair with 5:50 a.m. wake ups, 6:40 a.m. drop offs at the bus stop and 2:40 p.m. pick-ups at another bus stop.

As I came back to my work at The News, I fine tuned my schedule so that I was in the office while she was in school. And when Jacob became old enough for preschool I found him one on my route to Monticello that made my routine flow.

Some days it was crazy, timing traffic to get to each stop in a timely fashion because if you were late for preschool pickup they would fine you by the minute and if you missed bus pick up your kid was sent back to the school. So I learned to build in allowances for getting behind a slow moving tractor or slow driving grandma or heaven forbid road work by the DOT, either one could put a crinkle in my schedule.

Let me tell you there were times when both kids were sent back to the school because I was delayed. Over the years Jenny became my time reminder with the frequent “Susan, it’s time for you to go.” My mom would help out when I absolutely needed her too, and she probably would have done it most days but I felt like my kids were my responsibility as her mobility began decreasing.

When Robyn entered high school three years ago, I began drop offs and pick up at three different locations but at that point she had access to door bus service. Having been chauffeured for nine years, she was not in love with the bus unless it was for a field trip. That was her motivation for getting her license as soon as possible.

And let me tell you the day she earned that license was the day we drove her much beloved “Chanel” off the car lot. She drove to school that following Monday and I was back down to one school location.

I recount all that to announce that next Thursday will be my last day of that tedious schedule when Jacob “graduates” from NCTS 2.0, the Newton County STEAM Academy and transitions to high school. No more 6 a.m. mornings, no more rolling up to the bus stop or school on two wheels, no more racing against traffic to make the pick up, no more calling the kids on their cell phones trying to figure out just where the bus is on the route to the pick up spot.

With Robyn in her final year of high school, she will be able to transport her brother in the mornings and maybe in the afternoons depending on her hefty after school schedule. We’ll figure that out later.

Let me tell you when you spot a parent willing to jump through those hoops for the good of their kids, no matter the detriment or stress to them, please give them a hug, a donut, a bottle of wine because they deserve it.

The kids asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day last Sunday and all I wanted was a little peace and quiet and to make to the end of the school year. In January, I started the count down to May 22 and I can indeed see the light at the end of the tunnel. I got what seems like a long week to get there with some school affiliated event almost everyday—engineering pathway orientation, spring football scrimmage, eighth grade awards, eighth grade semiformal, state recognition awards, John Hopkins Q&A.With Robyn in her final year of high school, she will be able to transport her brother in the mornings and maybe in the afternoons depending on her hefty after school schedule. We’ll figure that out later.

Let me tell you when you spot a parent willing to jump through those many hoops for the good of their kids, no matter the detriment or stress to them, please give them a hug, a donut, a bottle of wine because they deserve it.

The kids asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day last Sunday and all I wanted was a little peace and quiet and to make it to the end of the school year. In January, I started the countdown to May 22 and I can indeed see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve got what seems like a long week to get there with some school affiliated event almost everyday—engineering pathway orientation, spring football scrimmage, eighth grade awards, eighth grade semiformal, state recognition awards, John Hopkins Q&A.

But I have to admit that this conclusion of this era, as welcomed as it is, is also a little saddening. It means my kids are getting closer to leaving the nest, and while that is a good thing it saddens me too.

Robyn is a rising senior, which in actuality could be a graduate since she finished her biotechnology pathway this semester and has the hours to graduate but is not allowed too. This time next year, she’ll be preparing to ship off for college, wherever that is, and I will be a very proud but emotional wreck.

And while she graduates, Jacob will have hopefully settled into high school life. As they transition, so will I. It will be grand. But for now I’m just trying to get next Thursday.