Have A Little Faith in We

And just like that the 2025-2026 school year started and Shannon is in Kindergarten baby( bonus points if you know that reference🙃)!

In many ways that feeling “how did that happen?” is present. And yet I am also finding myself very much enjoying this season and grateful it’s arrived. A summary on motherhood for me: emotions on what has passed by, awe and surprising joy for what is, and the mixed emotions of not yet and peaked interest at what will be.

Following a summer that was as chaotic and unexpected, both Shannon and I had pep in our steps to walk back through the doors of her elementary school. We were blessed last year to join this unique community and now we are overjoyed to begin another year… with a little less nerves and a lot more “confident kid” swag. It is incredible what a little familiarity and return of habits can do for the human spirit.

Also with the wisdom of experience comes the ability to properly pivot plans and make a change.

For Shannon, I hope in her confidence she can try even more new things (on the agenda includes pep squad and Girl Scouts). And the dreams I hold for her includes the understanding she will have to make mistakes, have tough days, and lessons learned. So let me prepare my motherly heart to say: scrapped knees, hurt feelings, lost games, and boredom are part of the deal – do not try to overcorrect or perfect any of it!

For me I now know that time spent in her world is a gift that I cherish long after it is over. And much less than the meeting I was too concerned to reschedule, the to do list I thought I could reduce, or the drama (friends, family, work) that I choose to give time to. Volunteer, be present, fight my “I may not have an adult I know to chat with or husband to sit with” and attend the community event. All of the times I made the choice to be at school stuff with Shannon last year, it was more than worth it. It is a season that will be gone so quickly. Also same as Shan, if I am adding more to my participation plate, there will have to be moments that do not go so great – that is OK.

Last year – both in and out of school – taught me that wisdom is necessary and I am going to need experts to help. Partner well with the school, welcome the input from teachers, and develop a heart and soul that can take it in and choose well for us. This year, Shannon and I are brining in the big guns: Mother Mary and the Word of God.

On the feast of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I gave Mary this school year. Asked her to walk with us, provide me guidance to have a pure Mother’s heart, and to learn to see His hand over our desire to control.

Additionally we are trying a kids bible study that is just a few minutes daily. To be able to recognize God, we must learn the sound of His voice.

Another year we welcome and thank God for the blessings of this season.

*This post was drafted prior to the tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School. There are no words, only the tragic beauty to learn the lesson of how we Catholics are ALL ONE Body in Christ. This school planned on a year with hope as the theme, just like St. Mary’s did. Let us walk with them in love, prayer and active hope of God to be here with us all.

Thank you so much for reading and remember to make it a great day!
Jackie