Time Marches On

I took Laura, my almost-four-year-old, to the dentist today. To my surprise, she hopped up when the hygienist called her name, and skipped off to the examining room without Mommy. For Laura, that was a big deal. She has been Mommy's shadow all of her short little life, and is often quite fearful of new situations. This was just the encouragement I needed as preschool quickly approaches. I have been nervous about the adjustment. How will she react when I drop her off? (How will I react?) Will she be scared? (Will I be able to hold back my tears?) Will she make new friends? (Will she be a leader or a follower?) Will she be OK? Of course she will. But as moms, we all want the best for our kids and it's hard to see them struggle. And I won't lie. It will be difficult for me, too. Difficult to say good-bye to my little buddy, my Laura who goes everywhere with me, works with me in the yard, assists on shopping adventures, chats non-stop... My girl who asks for daily cuddle breaks where we sit and snuggle and talk and read and rest. We've grown quite comfortable in this life of privacy and serenity where time seems to stand still. But it doesn't really. Time marches on. And I guess it's time to learn to find that new beat so we can march along, if ever so begrudgingly... Lord, please bless and protect and care for my girl where I cannot. May our bond grow ever-stronger as we spend more time apart. May my tears be cleansing and my words encouraging as we find our way. And thank you for the past 4 years... the best 4 years of my life.