Turning endings into beginnings, choosing to focus on the new

We are in the thick of the month of May. The crazy month for moms with end of the school year activities. I always looked at May as a time of year for endings. The ending of a school year, the end of middle school, the end of elementary school; things coming to an end for my boys in their various stages of life. In the past, I cried at these endings and fixated on them. Funny thing is I'm not a crier. It takes a lot for me to cry, but May always brought me to tears- ugly tears.

This year, I am choosing to see it as a time for beginnings. The beginning of high school for my middle son. The beginning of Junior year for my oldest and the beginning of 2nd grade for my youngest. Instead of focusing on the ending,  I am choosing to focus on the opportunities that lie ahead for my boys.

I'm channeling the years of experience that I've gained from parenting my oldest, watching my mom friends with older children and asking advice from these moms and using it launching forward to new beginnings.This doesn't mean I didn't shed tears at the slide show during 8th grade graduation last week because I did when I saw pictures of my son and his classmates. But, it wasn't because I was sad middle school was ending. Every other year, I cried like a baby at these events. I was upset because I focused on the finality of the moment instead of the joy.  Choosing to focus on their achievements, their growth, the future possibilities is much more productive.

There are two years ahead of my oldest in high school, four for my middle and 11 for my youngest. I'm excited about these years and the possibility for growth and new experiences. Thinking about them while munching on chocolate donut holes makes the beginnings a little sweeter!

Grace and Peace,
Misty