This morning, after nearly 21 years of packing school lunches, I packed my last one for my last school aged child, my D who will be graduating and whose last regular day of high school is today. It’s not really bittersweet - I never loved packing lunches! - plus, I’ve been fortunate to have the privilege of packing for 21 years!!! (3 kids)
In her lunch this morning I packed the usual - a bagel, some carrots, a grain bar and water. But I also packed a note. Actually a knock knock joke. Nearly 21 years ago, my first D was a somewhat nervous 1st grader who though she loved school, wasn’t quite sold on the idea of being away from me for a whole school day (K was 1/2 day). To help her, I packed a note each day - actually a joke/riddle - it became a highlight, a source of conversation at the lunch table. It helped ease her day knowing we had a “communication method”. 
So this morning again, for the last time, I packed a note. A knock knock joke. I posted a picture on FB to share this end of an era - the last school lunch! (BTW, I work outside the home and pack my own breakfast and lunch daily, so there is still much more packing in my future - just not for my kids!)
A friend passed this article onto me - timely on the heels of my FB post - it’s adorable, and so, so true in our family.
http://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/the-power-of-the-note
The power of the note.
I wrote back to my friend who shared it and thanked her. Her kids are just becoming teens. I told her how she may currently feel that texting is the biggest annoyance - but that when her kids go away to college/live, texts are the “next step” in note writing. A text to share the positive, keep positive, provide encouragement, bring laughter, shake away the nerves of a test/roommate/interview, etc.
The Power of the Note - is there note power at your house???
Aw, abasket: How sweet, really. No reason to stop now! Yes, the end of the high school era, but they still ‘need’ you when they’re in college, but in different ways. I’ve always been a big note person. Ask my two boys when I made them hand write a few hundred notes after their Bar Mitzvahs. In fact we had other parents telling us that they never saw such beautiful and thorough notes!
As they were growing up, I would type notes on long computer paper for them in large font, in Blue, for instance and see that they’ve kept those notes prominently showcased in their bedrooms.
I send a lot of texts and emails of encouragement, so yes, I agree with you on the power of the note! My H & I used to send lots of cards back & forth with powerful messages, not so much anymore…but definitely both of us to the kids.
My oldest just has his last exam before graduating college in a couple of weeks. I texted him quite a lot wishing him good luck! This is one routine that will never tire in our home. It’s a wonderful way to stay in touch in very short snippets throughout the week, just to say, “We’re thinking of you”!
My son used to write me sticky notes back evaluating his lunch in lower school years. I kept a few of the funnier ones. He wouldn’t even say anything to me about it, I’d find them when I’d pack his lunch the next day. Some of my funnier ones - I like strawberries, not strawberry flavored things (I had given him strawberry yogurt) or Never give me this bread again (rye)
Love your post, abasket! Congratulations on this bittersweet milestone.
BTW, when my daughter was away at summer camp, I’d send “knock knock” jokes in my letters to her. Your post brought back memories.
Well, after a certain age, my kids pack their own lunches, but your nervous 1st grader story reminded me of a tradition my youngest and I have. She was one of those sobbing kindergarteners on her first day of school and I worried all day about how she was doing. When I picked her up, she can running out saying, “I survived! I survived!” And indeed, she has gone on to thrive. Now, on the first day of school at the end of the day as I pick her up, she says the same thing, and also when she faces a new challenge and gets through it. The days are fewer where I’ll get to hear that.
I used to draw a face on their banana, since you don’t eat the peel, after all. Occasionally I would leave a note in their shoe, or hat, and years later sometimes I will find a note in mine <3
You guys are all amazing moms! I never thought of doing this.
Thank you abasket. Thank you for sharing this wonderful parental moment. My mother did the same thing. I never told her that I got them…never commented. But thank you. You made my evening.