Thursday was the last day of school. A successful school year for both Abate and Fantu. It wasn't without it's struggles but they both have successfully met the requirements and moved on to the next grade. Abate is now officially a sophomore, no more little fishy. Fantu is now a high school freshman - her turn to be the fish. Whoa, someone please hit the brakes and slow this down! My baby girl is in high school? What insane speed limit is my life set at? She was just yesterday my scared little girl going off to her first day of school in G'ville - 6th grade. She was so shy, still so beautifully Ethiopian. Amharic still flowed from her when she spoke, She'd wear her Ethiopian dress to church, her favorite foods were all still Ethiopian.
Someone must've tampered with my cruise control and set my life to speed by at warp speed, my kids have grown up. They are both bigger than I am (Fantu is still slightly shorter but she's has a figure that stops the boys dead in their tracks). If Abate keeps eating the way he is, he soon won't just be taller, he will outweigh me too. They are both very confident, smart, outgoing teens. They are both fluent in English now and their grades at school reflect that. They are thinking about the future. We are already discussing college and careers. The speed of these days only increases. Is there not a way to slow it down so we can sit back and take this a bit slower, enjoy it a bit longer? But I know this will not happen. With Abate we have seen him just this past year become very independent. He pursues his own interests, he creates his own opportunities, he has learned that he is responsible for his own success. He knows to be a truly great runner he has to do more on his own and that just training with the team during the running season won't take him to that next level. He now goes and works out on his own in the early morning hours. He joined a summer soccer league with several fellow GHS soccer team members that practices and plays in the Temple/Belton area. He has used his own money to fund this including the money needed to chip in for gas and a bite to eat after practice. He eventually during the school year became more responsible for doing his own homework, it used to be a constant joint effort for us to help him get it done. Abate became a young man this year. It happened so quickly. I just one day noticed the transition he'd made from boy to man.
Fantu is now going to be heading off to GHS in August. What changes will we see from her as she takes this next step. Will I blink one day and suddenly see her graduating? I take a deep breath and try to figure out how to slow the seconds down. I know one thing I will do and that is to be there for meets, games, concerts, and homework if needed. I will enjoy these next four years, it may wear me out but I've still hopefully many years after to rest.
There are no speed limits and I haven't any brakes, all I can do is keep on track and hang on!
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