Tick Tock

The clock ticks and tocks, the days and weeks are a blur.

As we begin to plan the yearly birthday extravaganza for (no so little anymore) Little Miss, I quietly wave goodbye to another year.

I toured her school-to-be on Tuesday.

I think she will love it there.

I watched the cars and trucks as they arrived at the gate. One by one in minivans and four door family mobiles they drove up. A valet-ish school worker opened the door and out bound another pig tailed princess or jean- clad prince. A mom waves goodbye and off they go - their separate ways.

AHHHHHHH

I am not sure I am ready to have my car door opened.

Will I smack the valet lady because I am freaking out and just don't know what else to do?

Will I run back out of the truck, snatch up my daughter, stuff her back in the truck and race away?

Will I embarrass her with a ten minute hug while cars are piling up behind us?

Most likely I will get about a block away, and I will cry.

I will cry because I let the years roll by so quickly. I will cry because I failed to appreciate every moment. I will cry because that day will mark the start of an unstoppable natural cycle of life.

That day I will sit in her empty pink princess room. I will watch the clock. As the time nears to go back to the school I can assure you this is one day in my whole life- I will not be late.

I will pull back up to the valet lady. I will quietly thank myself for NOT smacking her. I will hope no one can see my puffy eyes and bright red nose. I will wait - holding my breath- until I see my pig tailed princess come bounding back to her little pink chair in the back seat. I will ask her all about her day and delight in all her new adventures. (and, in my heart, I will pray to share many many many more of those adventures together.)