Dawn

Today I got old.


All three of my children were gone for 7 hours. To school.

I had been dreading this day. Not for freedom's sake (c'mon, who doesn't look forward to this day with some amount of excitement?), but for the fact that it was the end of a life chapter. And also because I feel a tremendous, anxiety-inducing weight shift called, "now someone might expect me to contribute to society and be productive." As I drove off, I looked over and watched my new Kindergartener sandwiched between his sisters, holding onto their hands for dear life, and I had to choke back tears.

I contemplated this dawning of a new era, and I felt powerless and sad. For several 20 mph miles.

Then, like magic, a good song came on the radio right as the speed limit changed to 50 mph, and I felt something unexpectedly euphoric course through my veins.

I actually cheered. Outloud. Like this:

"Woooohooooo!"

*(and a little sky punch)*

Then I remembered that I left the house in my pajamas, sans bra, hat over greasy bedhead, slippers on my feet. And I put my hands on ten and two, fast as lightening.

Cause, man, new eras are not a good time to get in a wreck.

Or worse, pulled over on a road teeming with people taking their kids to school.

Anyway, I think I'm going to like old.

I'm pretty sure it's the new young.