She’s just so small.
Her hands still have their toddler pudge.
She says “grateful” when she means “great” but I think the two belong together so I never correct her.
She is quick to share, first to offer encouragement, she’s her brothers’ biggest fan.
She tries to do cartwheels and only gets partially upside-down, as if she’s mostly flinging her legs sideways over a puddle, but when she stands afterwards, she glows with pride.
She comes out of her room wearing her pink stripped slippers and filmy robe with the elastic that’s too tight around her forearms where the sleeves land since she’s outgrowing it but can’t let it go.
Can’t let it go.
How can I let her go, even for those few hours every.single.day. ?
She’s my sidekick.
My shadow.
My sweetie.
She’s too small to be so big.
But she’s ready. I know this. I’ve seen her. But letting her go feels like feeding her to the bears,
bears of cliques,
bears of rejection,
bears of politics in friendships,
and there are far worse bears in those woods that I don’t dare speak aloud.
I don’t send her alone, and I know this. Jesus walks alongside her. She knows this too.
But when that bus pulls away from our house on her first day of school, you’d better believe I’ll peal out of our driveway in the minivan, close on her heels, waving to her like a fool.
***
Before I forget, yesterdays post contained my first giveaway so if you want to win a beautiful scarf from Trades of Hope, be sure to check that out. Today’s post is part of a linkup with Lisa-jo Baker (http://lisajobaker.com ) and is open to anybody who wants to participate. Five Minute Fridays are a lot of fun, so if writing and finding other good blogs is your thing, be sure to look her up.
As always, thanks so much for taking the time to come by today. I know there are a lot of other things vying for your time, and I appreciate you!
Letting go is difficult, but it opens up new doors of amazing grace and joy. Enjoy every new adventure–it’s an interesting roller coaster ride when you have children, but it’s always one of our greatest blessings.
Thank you for commenting. You’re right about adventure and blessings. She’ll do great(ful) 🙂 and it’s going to be a wonderful year.
I hope your first day of school experience went well! Those “bears” can be so overwhelming to think of for your little one. Many prayers. Thank you for sharing on FMF!!!
Awww. It’s goes by so fast!! I love those first years, but you are right… those bears are hard to live with, but Jesus is walking beside her as she learns her lessons!
Oh, I love this: “She says “grateful” when she means “great” but I think the two belong together so I never correct her.”
What a great glimpse of your girl and her heart through this post!
Nita, as always this is so precious. My granddaughter started Kindergarten last week and my son and daughter-in-law went through the same thoughts and emotions. I only had boys and even though I remember it was hard letting them go, too, I expect there is something a little different when it’s your little girl. That might not be politically correct to say in this era where the world tries to convince us that the only difference between the genders is physical, but I don’t buy that for a second — equal doesn’t mean identical. 🙂 Loved your post, my friend.
Your beautiful mama heart made me laugh and cry. Letting go of of a little one is never easy. Even when you do it with God on your side and after much prayer. Rest knowing He is her provider and protector just as much as He is yours. You go Mama…you chase that bus down if necessary…you won’t be the only Mama out there doing the very same thing. Happy to have met out here in the blogosphere!