songs of experience

For one spectacular week in May, the azalea bush in our back yard has a glorious flowering. It’s usually right around Teacher Appreciation Week, so I clip lush bouquets of fuchsia blossoms for all my daughters’ teachers. This year, May came and went as I was overwhelmed (in a good way, mostly) with my new CAC duties. The “burning bush” flamed out without my witnessing and today I am sad.

In the photo above, Lizzie is posing too self-consciously - making a “nice picture” for us to remember her kindergarten year - but I wonder, as I look at her growing-up face and her no-more-baby-fat legs, what did I miss (?). I usually pay VERY close attention to my people. I go to all the plays and recitals and teacher conferences; I make sure no playday or practice or dental appointment is missed … but this year I did all my Mommy duties in a distracted way. I had another BIG job to do - my athletes needed my attention, too. I still haven’t figured out how “working mothers” do it all. Have you?

I am left feeling like that old song we used to sing on the field trip bus in grade school:

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE

Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

by,
Pete Seeger