Just a Big Girl

Last night , the books were read, the rocking was done, Billy was in place in the crib awaiting his human and I laid Evelyn down in her bed, now, at this point she likes additional kisses, and usually I am required to "go atomic!" , this means giving her as many kisses as possible in 5 seconds. So all is done, the checklist is complete and I was about to leave her bedside when she says "Mom I need to tell you something". "OK", I say "what's on your mind." Then she says the following to me...." Mom you just called me a baby , you said good night baby girl" yes?..... Then she gets real serious, the way you do when you know that you are about to deliver potentially disastrous news to a person who may or may not have the wherewithal to handle what you are about to say, but you must say it anyway, and she reaches up and starts caressing my cheek, then says " I just wanted you to know that I am not a baby anymore. I am just a big girl. Okay?" As tears welled up in my eyes, I realized, yes there is not a baby there anymore, she is a big girl. A sad day for Mom but inevitable I guess.