I can still remember the moment she was born.
And when she first whispered, ‘Bit’ – her word (then and now) for her favorite blanket.
I picture her first at-bats.
I’m proud, so very proud, of the young woman she is becoming. She has more self awareness in her pinky finger than I did at her age. I can only hope that means I am doing something right with her.
But friends….time with her is slipping through my fingers like sand on my favorite beach. I’m caught in this crazy, beautiful, terrifying spiral that is watching my time with her fade. When Summertime once stretched before us as though there would always be a ‘next year’, I’m brutally aware of the fact that I have but four more with her before she graduates from HIGH SCHOOL and moves in to an entirely new phase of her life.
The years that she desperately wanted my presence have passed. She spent the better part of this weekend holed up in her room with a good friend. She was not unpleasant, but I’m no longer her go-to. At least not for everything.
This moment is an exercise in letting go, in beginning to trust her, in hoping I will stay a primary north star – smiling as I watch her soar and hugging her when she falls.
In the meantime, you can bet, I’m going to roll around in these next four summer and hope she and I can make crazy, beautiful memories that carry her in to college and beyond.
Wishing you (and any graduates in your world) the very best of everything.
What are you going to do in these final summers?
Sarah Bailey says
What a lovely post it sounds like you have an amazing relationship with your daughter, definitely something to be so proud of.
robin rue says
I hear you -my oldest son is turning 14 in August and I honestly have no idea how 14 years came and went so quickly. It makes me sad.
Audrey says
Kudos on her 8th grade accomplishment! Four more years until the next link of her journey. She has an amazing mama to lean on in the coming years. Congrats to both of you!
Bill Sweeney says
Many blessings and congratulations to you and your daughter. The lady she is becoming is indicative to your steady guidance in her life. I foresee many great things to come for her.
Jeanine says
Your daughter seems like she has grown wise from mama! You are so right about the years just slipping by. It’s seems like yesterday my oldest was still in my arms
Pam says
I remember when my kids were that age. It seems like time flies so quickly once you have kids.
Theresa says
Beautiful. I have 4 more summers with my baby too before she’s off to college. My oldest just finished her freshman year of college. Time goes by so fast. Those 4 summers are going to go by in the blink of an eye. Enjoy every minute, mama!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
Time sure flies! I love this post! How I wish I could go back to each summer when my kids were small!
Danielle Smith says
I often wish I could rewind time as well – trying to embrace each step as best I can.
brianne says
This post made me tear up. This precious time just goes way too fast. Happy 8th grade, enjoy every bit of your summer together!
Danielle Smith says
Thank you, my friend – I’ve done LOTS of tearing up over the past few weeks – can’t believe she is so big.
Shannon Gurnee says
I love this blog post. It’s amazing how quickly it feels like the time is going with my kids. We have 6 – the oldest is a Junior in high school and the youngest is in 4th grade. It’s hard to think about them growing up and moving on, but I hope I’ve prepared them to succeed in the world ahead of them. Hugs mama!
Danielle Smith says
Thank you for this – I know you get it. It DOES amaze me to see time flying by as it is – so trying to embrace the moments.
Kiwi says
Wow she was born in 2004. I was literally graduating high school around that time wow time is flying just enjoy her while she is still here and leaves for school.