As I watch Beau race through his first year, I'm reminded again and again of how our baby girl is no longer baby at all. She barely qualifies for "little girl." When referred to as such, she usually sneers and says, "I'm a big kid."
This past week she finished preschool.
It was a bittersweet moment for me, as I think all of her most recent milestones have been. It was excitement marred by the ache of watching your child grow at a faster rate than your heart can handle.
On the way to school that morning, Lola talked incessantly about the newly-discovered (to her) Peter Pan. "Why does he get to live on NeverNever Land?" Clearly distressed by the fact that Peter Pan never grows up, she asked, "Why does he never grow up? Why is it only Peter Pan that doesn't grow up?"
As I answered her questions with the correct logical answers, "NeverNever Land is his home," and "He doesn't grow up because he's Peter Pan," my mind wandered to a darker place as I thought about the way too frequent tragedies that prevent some children from ever growing up, the real-life Peter Pans. "Only Peter Pan stays little forever, honey," I said in a confident tone, trying to reassure us both.
Grow my dear girl, please grow. And, I will be so lucky to spend my days checking off the milestones with you.
She really is growing up so quickly!
ReplyDeleteAt least she imagines that Peter Pan could be a real person. It won't be long before she rolls her eyes at the thought :(
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