My precious little one had an emotional morning today. Her pants didn't feel right. Her hair was tangled. She couldn't find her folder. She was tired. She was weepy.
I wish I could keep her home and make her feel better. I hated sending her off to school like that. I hated it. She's my baby.
I gave her a long hug and a back rub, reassured her how much I love her, and tried to be cheerful as I sent her walking to school.
She dragged her umbrella, head hung low, as she walked out of my sight.
I don't know what brings on rough mornings like this one, but it's tough to be a mom in times like this, having to do the grown-up thing, sending her to school despite her bad morning. I'd rather crawl into bed with her, cuddle her, hold her, console her, coddle her, and let her fall back asleep and try the day all over again.
But she'll be okay. And so will I.
And at the end of the day, we'll crawl into bed, cuddle, and chat. And all will be right in the world.
One day, you're going about your business, wiping dirty faces, applying Band-Aids to boo-boos, scolding naughty children for tantruming in stores, and helping with spelling homework. When, seemingly out of the blue, your daughter marches down the stairs and looks like this:
You won't see it coming. But there she'll be. Hips and waist and big eyes and all.
I'm not sure when it happened, but my little Bayberry turned into a beautiful young lady. Wasn't it just last week she was tantruming at the playground?
Oh, wait -- she's a tween. Yes, yes it was just last week that she was tantruming.
I digress...
Parents, this will happen to you. You will wake up and your little one will be big. Your little bundle of joy will be texting on her phone and listening to Taylor Swift and will know more about pop culture than you.
Yes. It will happen.
It's already happening to me.
Bayberry had her winter semi-formal school dance last week. Wasn't she beautiful? She had a great time. Even got to -- gulp! -- dance with her crush, who then asked her "out" (to be his "girlfriend" I surmise).
Heaven help me.
