I used to be able to hold you in my hands you were so small. Just yesterday I noticed the top of your head now comes all the way up to my collarbone.
When did that happen?
I used to pray and wait with bated breath for your first word. “Please just let her say Mommy. Please.” Just today you said to me “I’m your best girl, right Momma? And you’re my best Mommy?”
When did that happen?
I remember learning that you might not ride a bike for a long time and I was so sad because I love to take bike rides. Just last week you decided it was time to start riding your bike. You can start all by yourself and ride for quite a ways. Looks like those bike rides might not be too far off.
When did that happen?
I remember thinking that I wasn’t cut out to be your mother. That God or the Universe made a mistake because I wasn’t cut out for this. Just today I was looking at your beautiful freckles and porcelain skin and listening to you talk to your brothers on the walkie talkies before bed, making them laugh so hard, and I felt in every bone of my body that this is exactly how it’s supposed to be.
When did that happen?
I thought I was supposed to be the one teaching you life lessons. That was supposed to be my job and instead it’s been you who has taught me. You’ve taught me more in the last 10 years than most people learn in a lifetime. You continue to teach me every day. I was thinking the other day that if you could get inside my head and see how much I’ve been worrying about the future lately, you would smack me upside the head and tell me to get a grip, to live one day at a time, to stop worrying!
When did that happen?
I’ll tell you when. In the blink of an eye.
I’m so glad I have you.
Elastamom's Excerpts 
Amazing…I feel the same way. Love our girls 🙂
Increidble how we are so far away and yet share so many of the same wonderful feelings for our girls! 🙂
Thanks for the inspiring words, it always makes me feel hopeful for our own future! Bike riding? That is more than I hoped for!
It’s warming to read your heart and all the ways that Olivia shines!
Another touching post…had to dry the eye-balls at the end.
Its funny how we forget to stop and take note of some of the lessson we can learn from our children. Pride sometimes gets in the way of listening and learning in ways we never thought we could…or should…
I went to hug my son the other day and I fit under his chin…. UNDER. HIS. CHIN! When did that happen?
I learn something from him every day. Sometimes it’s silly, sometimes profound. I am thankful everyday that he is my son.
On a particularly hard week, this was beautiful to read. Thanks.
wonderful post! it’s amazing how fast they grow up….you’re right; it’s in a blink of an eye.
Children are the gatekeepers of new lessons. I am always amazed at what I’ve learned from my daughter.
How inspiring. I look at my little girl sometimes and get sad at what she can’t doing. However, I should be celebrating what she CAN do. I am getting there 🙂