My daughter is growing up. I stare at her is disbelief. Wasn’t it a few days ago that I was singing, "This little piggy goes to the market, this little piggy stays home?"
Chelsea is looking at universities for next year. She talks casually about it as if she was trying on shoes. Nearly, every weekend she visits schools to see if they’ll fit. "These are nice, but not for the long run. Those are fun but not really practical. Check these high and pointy shoes! Classy aren’t they? But these, oh yes these, tough, strong and sturdy!! Perfect! Do you think they’ll fit?"
I listen, and try not to scream no-no-no-no don’t go! Stay little, get back in the box! Though she is running straight into her new adventure with sheer excitement. "Mommy! Look at me!" She seems to say as she spreads out her dreams before me. She doesn’t see my fear. I hide it well in the back of the closet with the other things I never wear and do not want to give away.
Every shoe she turns over seems to fit. I can see her walking far and wide, even skipping maybe jumping too. Go darling go. Let me tie your shoe with a blue ribbon!
But oh the knot I have inside my throat…..
photo: Chelsea on New Year’s day.
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