Katherine, the
days and months are flying by – you have completed your first year of pre-school
and we’re having much fun this summer!
It’s such a joy
to watch you grow and become more and more independent. Yes, there is that
little part of me that just wants to keep my arms wrapped around you forever to
keep you safe, but I know it’s your time to explore the world more and more on
your own.
You are becoming
more adventurous and you’re also becoming more confident when you’re doing
things by yourself.
From charging up
the ladder when we’re picking cherries in the backyard, and waving from the top
with a big smile on your face as you are reaching for the cherries as high as
you can… to telling me “I know, I really know…” when I am trying to show you
how to do something – you are thoughtful, but confident in all you do.
Last week you
went to a gymnastics camp a couple of mornings and we had many talks about you
staying there all by yourself. You had been there before for classes and other
things, but never just by yourself. You asked me a lot of “what if” questions
and we found a lot of answers and when I dropped you off, you were a little
tentative for a couple of moments. But then you made up your mind that you had
covered all your “what if’s” and gave me a hug and a kiss (as we always do when
we say good-bye) and went to your group. Once you say your good-byes, you move
forward – you don’t look back, you don’t waiver in your decision. That’s when I
know you’ll be ok. When I picked you up later, you had such a proud smile on
your face and your eyes were sparking – you did it… all by yourself!
You are teaching
me that it’s my job to let you go… a little bit at a time. Yesterday you asked
me if I will still love you when you grow up and I told you that I will never ever
stop loving you. You always put your little arms as far apart as you can and
ask me if I love you “this much” and I always put my longer arms as far apart
as I can and answer you “I love you this much!”. And that is my promise to you:
I love you always and forever.
