You see, I have packed this same lunch box every school day since first grade. I have written a note on the whiteboard inside the box every single lunch. And now that it's the last one, I worry that all those words from the past five years will be forgotten. All of the times I told him how special he was. All of the times I encouraged him to be kind. All those times I praised him for being strong. All of those times I told him how proud I was of him. All of the times I told him I loved him. He'll have a packed lunch in middle school, but he's graduating to a middle schooler lunch box. One that doesn't include a whiteboard. I'm sure I'll put in a note here or there, but it won't be the first thing he sees when he opens his lunch.
There are so many lasts that have been happening this year. I know that with the lasts also come the firsts, but I'm not ready to say good-bye yet. This school year has been so amazing that I just don't want to let it go. I definitely don't want to head into the unknow. That's how we grow, though. That's how they grow. Today, I didn't mention how this was his last day taking his lunch box. I didn't make his lunch anything extra special. The note I wrote summed up all of the things I hope he knows and remembers. I am so grateful that this is not the last lunch I will pack for him. I'm so grateful I have more time. It's important to remember that every last is just as important as every first. Time is precious. Don't take it for granted.