First Day of Tenth Grade 8.18.26
THOUGHTS FROM YESTERDAY MORNING…from Briella’s mom
Briella, today you should be starting 10th grade today. You would be up and getting ready for school right now. I’m sure now I wouldn’t be helping you get ready for the day. I wouldn’t be driving you to school. Those things stopped abruptly in 2023 when you ran ahead to heaven. I so wish I could know the person you would be today, the almost 16-year-old 10th grader. I wonder what you would be like now. What would your passions be? What classes would you love, and which ones would you hate? Who would your friends be? What would make you laugh? What would you be dreaming about? I would love to hear a new “Imagine” poem. I wish I could know the almost 16-year-old you were becoming. I wish I could see how beautiful you would be and know all the things you are enjoying. I miss the fullness you brought to life. I miss your smile and your caring ways. I miss watching you do gymnastics and watching your faith continue to grow. I miss knowing what you would be interested in today. I miss your friends being over at the house. I miss the interactions with your siblings. I miss your mischievous ways and all the laughter you brought to life. I miss playing games with you and baking with you. I miss watching movies together and just plain hanging out with you. I have a hard time imagining what you as a 10th grader. You will forever be a 12-year-old 6th grader. I watch your friends and neighborhood kids change and grow, and I wonder what you would be like if you were still here. Days like today grief hits harder. These milestones are a reminder of what should have been and what I have missed. As much as I hate what I have missed, I am so thankful to have been your mom...to be able to be a part of your life for 12 years, to watch you grow in your faith (to witness you beginning a relationship with Jesus, to watch your baptism, and to read your thought journals after you passed...Jesus was who you depended on. He was who you took your thoughts and questions to. You have such a deep relationship with Him), to spend my days with you, for the big moments and the ordinary everyday moments. I have so much to be thankful for. And I know I will see you again in heaven. So, on this first day of school when you should be starting 10th grade, there is grief because of what I have lost, but there is joy in being your mom and hope because of Jesus promises this isn’t the end.
First day of fourth grade.