Rites of Passage

My little girl isn't a little girl any more. At least that's how it feels to me.

Funny how birthdays and such really don't bother me- I love the fact that my kids are getting older. They are developing so much more of a sense of themselves and how they fit in this world. So, for me, the days that seem to make most moms sad- the first day of Kindergarten, certain birthdays, and other firsts- don't usually bother me. In fact, I meet a lot of those days with joy- knowing that they are bringing about a new adventure in life for both my kids and myself.

But, every now and then, something small will happen, and for some unknown reason it rocks my world, and just shows me how quickly time is passing and that my kids are growing up before my eyes.

Julia is having a sleep-over tonight. Not a 'spend the night at Nana and Papa's house' or 'have the cousins at our house evening' but a real, true, sleep over with a friend from school. A friend whose parents I don't know all that well.... all I really know is that the little girl is sweet. She and Julia have been friends for several years and they get along very well. We've done several 'playdates' which have always been fun.

Needless to say, this event is happening at our house. Momma just wasn't ready for Julia to spend the night at their house. But, my heart knows that that's the next step.... and probably is very close in the future. And then my mind is filled with all of the other things that are coming before I know it... and as much as I want her to have all those experiences. and as happy as I am that she is having them... I know that as she does, she'll grow and change. And not be my little girl any more....

And for today, at this moment in time, that's making her momma just a little sad.