The Walmart Commercial

Walmart is running a back to school commercial that just rips my heart out. The concept is of a Mom taking her first grade daughter to the school bus and sending her on her way. Ugh! Even writing about it I get choked up. I am sending my baby to middle school! First grade was nothing compared to this. The lady on the commercial gets to walk her daughter all the way to the bus and watch her get on and gives her a big kiss and hug. Madison and I have talked about how walking to the bus is going to work. She has to catch the bus in an parking lot central to the whole area we live in so I will walk with her but I can't wait right with her. Which I totally understand. But I know that first morning I am going to wish I was right there watching her walk up to those yellow opening doors and climb up the stairs to take her seat alongside a friend. I have such mixed emotions and I don't let on how sad and worried I am about all of this. Madison and I have talked a great deal about how she feels and if she is scared. She is of course anxious but the school has done such a great job of preparing them for the transition she is pretty calm. Hopefully this will be an uneventful transition for her and I am the only one who will have butterflies.
I just cannot believe how fast time has gone by. Four years ago when I went back to school and we decided I would stay home with Madison she was just starting third grade. The plan was by the time I graduated she would be finishing seventh grade and I would go back to work. Now here we are 9 months to go and I am overjoyed about finishing one part of the journey but sad that my stay at home Mom days are dwindling away. Yet I know that it is time to move on to our next chapter. Madison is growing up and as much as I hate to admit it she can take care of herself if I am not home in the afternoon. I just wish I could be the Mom in that darn Walmart commercial who draws a heart on her little girl's hand and sends her off to school knowing her Mom is always with her. Maybe just for me I will draw a heart on one of her folders or inside her backpack just so I know its there.