Time Flies

As the summer comes to an abrupt close, and we begin to get ready for the upcoming school year, I sit in disbelief on how fast time passes. This was the first summer in the last five, that I could carry a simple pocketbook and not an obnoxiously large bag— no milk bottles, no snack cups, no pacifiers or wipes. Though grateful for the lighter load, I can't help but feel sad on how quickly my kids are growing.

My daughter loves to echo the phrase “I don't need you.”
“Jules,” I ask, “can I help you with that?”
“No, I don't need you!”
“Maybe it would be easier to eat, if I cut that up for you.”
“No, Mom! I DON'T NEED YOU!”

Great! I can't help but feel hurt by these words of independence. Not because of what it means today but what it implies for the future. If I could bottle my children and leave them young forever, I would. However, as we all know, that wish never does come true for any of us. So when I look back on this summer, I am happy that my children are growing up to be people whom I respect, love and admire. And I sure hope that next summer they will still want to hang out with me.