Last Updated on January 24, 2026
This past summer I have had many of the misty-eyed moments.
It’s a mom thing.
Reminiscing. Remembering. Replaying.
As our kids grow and reach major milestones we hear our mothers’ voices come out of our mouths as we say, “Where has time gone?”
I’m in that phase right now. I have four daughters. One is 20. The other three: triplets. And they’re about to begin their senior year of high school.
*Insert teary-eyed emoji.*
I think it is always harder to bid farewell to milestones when it’s your youngest child. Because, well, that’s it.
The last first birthday.
The last first day of school.
The last sweet 16.
The last to graduate high school.
When your “youngest” are three children born on the same day, it can be quite devastating. I sniffled when they turned one. I was in tears when they went to preschool and kindergarten. I had migraines as they reached their teen years.
Now, it’s the beginning of the last season of their childhood. I’m in this silent depression of “I can’t believe it’s almost over.”
I have spent the last few months blinking back tears as I look at each one of them. We had a family vacation and I just wanted it to be “perfect.” It wasn’t. Whose vacation IS perfect? But I found myself biting my lip, holding back tear spillage more than once as I thought about the “lasts.”
As I write this, all three of them are off at different camps for the week. I told my friends, “I am triplet-less.” I have never had all three gone for a whole week. It’s just a taste of things to come.
Saying Goodbye to the Childhood Years
So how do we as moms cope with the “end” of the childhood era? How do we embrace that senior year and make it to May without sitting in a bed of used tissues as they make their ways across the stage to get that diploma?
The easy answer would be to look to the future and embrace the new season, pushing onward.
Instead, earlier this summer I decided on a different approach to help me cope.
I turned around and went back.
When we become moms, our focus shifts to our child. Our every move is inspired by this little person or persons. As long as there is someone to take care of, we have a focus.
When our basket of little people is empty, we want to panic. Our purpose seems to be gone. We notice there is a man living in our house. We forgot we had a husband. Or maybe we are a single mom and we just feel more alone than ever.
If we are women of faith, we need not panic. The Father has patiently allowed our focus to be shifted to these tiny treasures. He has waited and watched as we nourished, prepared and discipled these human beings. We will forever be moms to these people, but we no longer need to be wrapped up in their every move.
For many of us, our desire to make the moments with our babies last forever can be damaging.
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first, “
– Revelation 2:4
It’s time to drop the tissue box and turn and run back. He will hold us, mommas. He will wipe our tears of sadness and of joy.
I made it a priority this summer to allow God to draw me even closer to Himself. While some of us fear being all alone in our final years on earth, we have a refuge and an ever-present help. I would rather draw close NOW than to wait for when I am most lonely and desperate.
Truth is, I need Him NOW. I cannot get through this triplet senior year on my own.
“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
I Chronicles 16:10-11 ESV
Does this mean I will not be emotional at times over the next nine months? No.
I guarantee you this girl is going to have more of her misty-eye moments. She may even have full pressure waterworks that require the high speed windshield wipers…
I do know that though this chapter closes, I am drawing nearer to the One who blessed me with these beautiful children. He danced over my entire motherhood….He laughed with me and cried with me. My mothering will not end until I slip into eternity. Yet, my grip on their lives is slipping.
Part of growing closer to Him is trusting Him. I am trusting that He will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on Him. (Isaiah 26:3). They were His before they were mine.
Taking a deep breath, I am ready for the lasts.
The last high school sports event.
The last high school musical.
The last high school prom.
The last Pomp and Circumstance….
As they make their way back up the aisle at the end of that ceremony, marching out of the auditorium as high school graduates, I will be looking back….Jesus will be there. Smiling, Waiting.
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