Growing and resting

Graham's Little League practices are at a tiny park near our home. There is a terrific tree to climb and a historic family graveyard inside the park to explore, but one afternoon Annie still wanted to run laps around the park for some exercise despite her other options. She ran determinedly around the half-circle and back.

This week, she reminded me of her jog. "Mom, can I tell you something? When I was running a lap last week I felt like a little woman. I thought I was a grown up running like grown ups do. I saw a real lady and I thought she saw me as a real grown up woman. I forgot I was just me."

My darling Annie, the same child who asked shortly after her 5th birthday if the wedge heel in her flip flops made her "look seven." Oh sweet child, slow down just a bit!

One of my favorite times of the day comes at bedtime. Usually I lay with Annie and she rests her head on my arm. My arm is her security blanket. I like to talk with Graham too. Often they are listening to an audio book to "help" them fall asleep. Annie snuggles, Graham pontificates, and all is right in the world. They still feel like children.

Over Easter weekend when my mom visited, Annie got the privilege of sleeping next to Grandma. Sure enough, once Annie's head was snuggled into Grandma's arm, she fell right asleep. It's good to have my little girl be little.