As my first born – my baby – starts school in exactly two weeks, I’ve been a bit “off”.
I’ve been a bit excited, and a bit scared. I’ve been a bit concerned, and a bit nervous. I’ve been a bit sentimental, and more than a bit emotional. And, I’ve been a bit sad.
I’ve spent the last four years knowing that this time would come, and yet somehow, I don’t know where the time went.
And so I’ve caught myself humming this song on and off for the last few days – “I Hope You Dance” by LeAnn Womack. Last night, thinking of Ryder and the beginning of his journey, I drifted off to sleep in short prayer, thanking God for my infinite and often unearned blessings… and for our many, wonderful opportunities to dance.
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder; You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger.
May you never take one single breath for granted… God forbid love ever leave you empty handed.
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean; Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance; And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance; Never settle for the path of least resistance.
Living might mean taking chances, but they’re worth taking… Lovin’ might be a mistake but it’s worth making.
Don’t let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter; When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance; And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always rolling us along, tell me who wants to look back on their youth and wonder
where those years have gone)
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean; Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance; And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…
Dance!
I hope you dance
OMG Lena!! this is the song i sing to my son every night!!
I love this song and start crying everytime I picture us dancing to this at his wedding … haha
That is one of the sweetest visuals ever :) Thanks Dawn.
What a sweet song! Reading your feelings on Ryder going to school reminded me of dropping my kiddies off last year. I’m not really a weepy person, but as I was coming home from school I felt like bawling my eyes out LOL.
But the nice thing about them being in school was that they were learning way more than I could ever teach them and getting lots of interactions with other kids. Still – I’ve loved having them to myself this summer and am not looking forward to the early morning wake ups in 2 weeks!
Is Ryder going to full day or half days? Good luck to your little cutie – I’m sure he’ll love the new experience!
You’re absolutely right, of course. It’s time for Ryder to learn, socialize and leave the nest (at least on a part-time basis). He’s going half days, so it shouldn’t be too bad :)
Thanks Lena love that song!!
My youngest is entering High School this year and it goes super fast!!! Best of luck to Ryder on his first day!!!!
Thank you Allie, as always :)
I felt the same when my oldest started JK… now I feel like it’s old hat! Still a wee bit of nostalgia, though… You’ll do great and he’ll do great, too.
Thanks Lisa, I’m sure this time next year I’ll be just as excited as he is!
When I graduated university a family friend gave me this song on CD – it is a beautiful way to express what hopes and dreams we have for the future.
I hope Ryder has a great first day of school, and then you can hold my hand in a few years when I get to that stage with A.C.
Absolutely – one of my favourite songs ever. And thank you, I will!
My eldest daughter is too starting school…and this just made me cry. I am happy, but scared too. I think it’s natural to feel this way.
And now you have this song in my head too….
I wish all new JKs (and their moms) all the best for the new journey ahead.
Oh Tania, fierce hugs to all us first-timers! I hope your daughter has a wonderful time and transition.
Ok, officially crying at my (work) desk! That is such a beautiful song, so meaningful! The wonderful think about your children going to school is that they learn to dance to the beat of their own drum. They develop a new confidence and independence, and they shine in their very own special way. Ryder is going to love it! And Reid will love having mommy all to himself :) And you will be ok…it may not feel that way in the days leading up to his first day, and there will be lots and lots of tears and fear on your part – but soon enough you’ll fall into a new routine and it’s all you’ll know. Now, back to my sobfest at my desk!
Beautifully said, as always, Shauna! And I can’t wait to see how Ryder changes and blossoms.
That song is so beautiful. I felt the same way when my little ones started school. It’s so interesting to watch them grow. They are so eager to get going and experience all that life has to offer and we as parents just want to hold on to them just a bit longer.
Ryder will have a blast at school and will be all too eager to teach little Reid everything he’s learned. Best of luck for the first day.
Thank you Cindy, what a sweet and encouraging comment – it’s so appreciated.
Though I knew the song, I never really paid attention to the beautiful lyrics. Thanks for sharing, Lena, this now becomes a new anthem for my children.
I can certainly understand the mixed emotions. And even though I’ve done this too many times – my kids will be in Grade 7 and Grade 2 – I still cry soon after I see them off to school on that very first day, each and every year. Pride, nerves and gratitude as they hit a new milestone.
So now, thanks to you, I have something to add to my little prayer on that first day of school: Dance, little ones, dance!
Oh Riza! I love it – wishing and praying that they’ll dance their little hearts out :)
…oh Lena, what is it about a song that suits a particular mood ?! I remember when Nicky started JK last year and the months leading up to it made me sooo melancholy…I got up early that morning and every song on the radio spoke to my weeping heart, man did i cry lol !!!…it gets easier every day, especially when you see how Ryder blossoms with a new set of friends…take note: your word will no longer matter, the only person who will know anything that is an absolute truth will be his teacher !! ( Don’t say I didn’t warn you )…
Karen, that’s exactly how I’m feeling right now – unbalanced and incredibly emotional. And yes, fully prepared to be tossed aside for teacher!
This song makes me so weepy :( Hang in there Lena, Ryder will be fine! And as always, a beautiful post from you!
Thank you Jenny! You’re such a great support, thanks for continually chiming in.
Such a beautiful post, Lena! My daughter is starting school in two weeks as well, and I’m feeling very much the way you are. Thanks for sharing such a beautifully written post. Love it.
Hugs to you Christine! May we all get through it together – especially the mamas!
Awesome post Lena and what a beautiful song! The words are so touching and meaningful. I cried reading this post. Don’t fear Lena – soon you’ll get used to the routine. All the best to your precious little Ryder on his first day at school.
Thanks Marissa. It’s scary and wonderful all at the same time. xoxo
I love this song. It always reminds me of the power of coupling music with a presentation to make a powerful impact as a speaker. Only because I saw a lady use this once at a child welfare conference I went to. Anyways I hope he loves it. I am sending you hugs. I was so do so excited for my first born to start school. I thought oh my goodness what a great and amazing opportunity for her to grow and learn and fly. I thought smugly of course I will smile and be happy and proud. Then when I dropped her off the very first day she was like bye mom and they closed the door and left me standing there in the hall with my baby girl (2) and I thought: That is all I get!! And then my best friend whose little man was in grade two came walking up with arms outstretched and an oh my goodness I can’t believe it and I started bawling my eyes out like – ugly cry.
I hope you do much better than I did. :)
Thanks Paula – sending tight hugs right back at you. I have no doubt I’ll cry – trying to avoid the ugly cry at this point :)
This was one of the songs that I had in mind for an audition. I really love it !
Me too, Jenny :) Listening to it and humming along this morning again :)
Who would have thought a divorce after 31 years of marriage – who would have thought. This song is so pertinent in my life right now, the lyrics so on the mark. It is a beautiful song – and I’m learning to not be bitter and living every day to its fullest.
Oh Eva, sending you a huge hug. Life has a funny way of unfolding, but I wish you the very best, now and always.