I don’t know about you, but my taste is music is all over the place.  I enjoy many different styles of music, which type at the time depends largely on my mood.  I used to be a long distance runner.  Those playlists had fast paced pop songs and a fair amount of rap/pre- sporting event hype type songs.  When my soul is hungry and I need to get centered, I turn on the contemporary Christian music.  Rainy fall days or long road trips call for some Nora Jones.  If I need to wake up and get moving, a little Flo Rider might be on the menu.   However, I think because of my love of storytelling, I find its almost always a good time for some country music.  I have found that in particular, Brad Paisely’s lyrics often really resonate with me.  One of his newest releases, Last Time for Everything, has been on my mind a lot lately.   Most of his scenarios in his song are light hearted, yet meaningful examples of things that have held significance in our lives that at some point come to an end.  As my firstborn starts her first year of college, my second born begins her senior year, my son starts his last year at the elementary school and my baby child starts kindergarten  you can see how these lyrics have been affecting me personally.  One of my facebook friends posted something the other day about how one day you will pick your child up and set them back down, and it will be the last time you ever carry them again.  I’m not sure why, but I have thought about that every day since I read it.  My youngest is the baby of five.  Her older sisters are teenagers. I was 38 when she came into my life.  She is very spoiled and loved and picked up and held more than most five year old kids I’m sure.  But because she is my youngest, and because my oldest is simultaneously at a launching point in life, I am not in a rush for her to mature past all these things. I taught kindergarten and I know first hand how much kids mature and change and have last times for many things this school year.  At the end of the year, she will probably not say askadent for accident anymore.  She will probably realize the store’s name is Hobby Lobby, not Hovvy Lovvy, and also Walmarks is actually Walmart.  She might not want me to hold her or carry her so much anymore.  Maybe I  am not yet ready for the last time of all  those things.

On a more serious note, our former neighbors of many years children were involved in a car accident this summer that claimed two of their lives.  As back to school time approaches, the mom posted a picture of her daughter that passed away in the wreck in her last first day picture from last year.  It broke my heart.  On the actual first day of school, she posted a picture of her children that are still with them with one word, THANKFUL.  It again brought this Last Time for Everything Song to mind.  We just never know what is on the next page of our life story.   As a photographer and lover of pictures, I also noted how every single picture she has in her possession of those children became priceless to her after this tragedy. I know she wasn’t ready for the last time to ever hold them.

I have shot a few senior sessions in the last couple of weeks.  I think of how many last times they will experience this school year as they finish their fundamental education experience.  Some will go on to college.  Some will not.  Most will turn 18, and legally be considered an adult for the rest of their life.   The majority of the seniors that play sports will suit up in a school uniform for the last time, take the field (or gym floor), and play that game for the last time as a member of a school team.

Many of my mama friends are experiencing their children moving away for college and it could very well be the last time they live at home.  On a much lighter, yet significant to me note, the line in the song that says, biscuits and gravy at your mama’s house… I hear you Brad.  I decided to go gluten free in January because I have several autoimmune diseases and a big problem with inflammation (plus I had gotten pretty chunky).  My mama’s home made biscuits might very well be my favorite thing to eat ever ( with the only exception being my grandmother’s biscuits).  At first, I was mustering all the will power I could find to not eat her biscuits anymore while we were there for a visit.  But then Brad wrote me a song that reminded me that one day (I hope in the very distant future,) I will not be able to eat my mama’s biscuits anymore because she won’t be here to make them, so the only logical thing to do is EAT THEM WHILE I CAN!

If you haven’t heard the song, pull  it up and have a listen today.  Enjoy every minute of this life we are given because you just don’t know when that last time for something you love or moment with someone you love will come.   Maybe next time I’ll write about apple bottom jeans and boots with the fur…. Seniors, enjoy your last year of high school.

Last call, last chance

Last song, last dance

Sometimes you just don’t know when that’s gonna be

Hold me baby, give me a kiss

Like tonight is all there is

‘Cause there’s a last tine for everything

~Brad Paisley – Last Time for Everything