Now She Is Six

My Pumpkinpie had a birthday - and now she is six.

Oh. my. How did that happen, exactly?

I held her on my lap last night and told her I was proud of her, proud of how she was growing up and becoming a big kid, would love to see who she would become as she grew, but that I would miss my little Pumpkinpie, too.

She would miss being small, too, she said. She would miss fitting in my arms and my lap, miss being lucky and as well-looked after as she understands that young kids are.

She would learn new things, be able to do more, be proud of her accomplishments, I told her. There is a lot to be look forward to, as well. She will get good at things that are difficult or impossible now, make new friends, experience those wonderful chest-expanding moments of taking a risk and having it turn out past your expectations.

I am in awe that my wee bundle of a babe could have grown so much, into a lean, leggedy child with no hint of toddler left in her small freckled cheeks, and a little sad, a little wistful about it, too, no doubt about it. It's becoming real to me that she will grow up into a big girl, a teenager, a young woman of her own one day, and while I know that is right and good and what I want for her, while I know that it is my job to help her on her way and shepherd her out the door to the rest of her life... well, it still gives me a little catch in the vicinity of my heart to think of.

But as I convince her that she will grow and it will be good, that leaving her young childhood behind is not the end of wondrous moments, I know one thing is true.

She will still be mine for a little while longer - and she will be amazing.
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