Growing Up

Dear Boo,

When you went to bed last night, I kissed you and tucked you in. You giggled and laughed and tried to make the day last just a few minutes longer. You never want the day to end. You always want a little more fun.

You are the child who told me, “I don’t want to grow up, Mommy! I want to stay a little boy.” You are my Peter Pan. You’ve fought growing every step of the way. Don’t want to potty train, don’t want to tie shoes, don’t want to read, don’t want to…everything has had to wait until you were ready, until it was your idea. When something became “your idea” then we had to Run! Fast! To get to where you wanted to be. NOW!

But who is this child who got out of your bed today? He has your tousled hair and your so full brown eyes. His face looks like yours will when you grow up.

Wait, it is you.

Did I blink again? How do you do that trick? You turn into someone new every now and then. We go along and I have your features memorized, I know your mannerisms and quirks. Just when I know you so well, you change. You get “older” and bigger, and don’t need Mommy quite so much.

I know that is how God planned it. I know His way is best. But I just want to freeze a few more minutes while you fit on my lap. I want to bury my nose in your hair that smells like sunshine, squish you tight and a smooch on your cheek. You need a tickle too.

What’s that? Oh, you need to get off, get up, run and play. Alright, I think I will just sit here and watch and memorize this “new you” for a while.

I am going to send this post to Michelle at Scribbit for her April Write Away Contest.

Edited finally to add--this post received an honorable mention in Michelle's Contest.