Holding on and letting go

T'was the night before the first day of school
and all through this home,
The children were all anxious and the mom...writing a poem,
Backpacks to label and lunch boxes to fill,
Fifty pencils to sharpen because no one else will.
Outfits to try on, find the "one" that's just right,
So in the morning we have peace instead of a  fight.
Once blessings are given and dinner all done,
It's time to get showered, brushed and blow dried...no fun!
After lots of hugs and kisses, and their prayers all said,
She tucks in her sweeties, and makes sure they're all cozy in bed.
Now the happy mom sits, alone, in her home quiet and still,
The happy mom turns sad realizing the silence that fills.
That silence, so foreign, will now become part of her days,
Some say it's great and she should have fun and go play.
But that silence represents something more, something deep,
The silence is actually a loud clock sounding...BEEP BEEP!
That clock is the time that seems to come and quickly go,
The babies that once crawled are now running...see them go!
"I'm not ready" she screams, "Where the heck is the snooze!",
The clock keeps beeping as if to taunt her "Too bad ,you lose!"
The now, weeping mom, struggles to wrap her mind around it all,
It's no use, she gives up, and lets all her tears just free fall.
She let's them all out...but wait...oh no, here comes some more,
They all need to come out before she sends her girls out the door.
By morning the girls will be ready, because it's their time to grow,
The mom tells herself she's prepared them well, so she must let them go.
There are lessons to be learned and lots of friends to be made,
Things she can't teach them, things they will need someday.
So tonight the mom prays for the strength she will need,
To send her precious ones out, oh how her heart pleads...
"Heavenly Father, keep them safe, give them courage, give them grace,
Please give them the strength for whatever they may face.
And Father, I pray, no matter what their days ahead may bring,
Don't ever let them forget who they are, and exactly what that means.
Oh Father, if I may, ask for that same courage and grace,
To get me through, at least, the next couple of days.
You see my arms are now empty, empty way too soon,
I didn't plan for this time to come so quickly, like I said "way to soon!"
Please help me hold on to the joy that each season of life brings,
Let my heart find a happy song during this season of my life, to sing."
As the mom closes her prayer she begins to hear a quiet song,
Could it really be coming from her heart? That didn't take long!
God had heard her prayer and her request he quickly answered,
She recognized the song and knew every single word!
"Be still my soul:  the Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief and pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change he faithful will remain.
Be still my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end."
And that was it, the song that she needed to feel all was right,
So off she went to sleep with her little ones, and yes she had a good night.

Whoa!!!! I didn't expect that to come flowing out!  Seriously!Clearly I'm going through stuff right now...
If you are still reading, here are the pictures of our "Back to School" dinner. 

The girls picked the menu...
Grilled Steak, Garlic Parm Asparagus, Cooked Carrots, Crescent Rolls (courtesy of Pillsbury) with Cherry 7-UP to drink.

Be still my soul...