I remember talking with my oldest daughter only a couple of months ago. She was asking me all these questions about womanhood and training bras and I was caught by surprise. I thought maybe she was seeing things on t.v , and maybe she started looking ahead a bit. I was never the less surprised that we were having this conversation so soon.
I knew that I would have to face these issues eventually with her and then again with my youngest daughter. I said "honey, you don't have to worry about that for a couple of years". I went on to explain to her that she was only eleven, and when the time came, she could always talk to me about anything. I have four younger sisters, there's nothing we won't be able to talk about. But why give it any more thought now, I mean, come on, she's only eleven.
I soon found out that there was no "only", as in only eleven". She came to me not more than two weeks later, and Mister Mom was off to the drug store for some feminine products. I told her I loved her and congratulated her. I can see the relief in her eyes and we even spoke about openly later that night. I tucked her into bed later that night and I just had to ask her again. "Honey, you are only eleven, right?"
I have no idea where the time went. Wasn't it just yesterday that we you sat on my lap and we watched Barney together? I can still remember singing with you, " I love you, you love me" along with baby bop. Was it really that long ago? How did you grow so big and so independent, seemingly overnight? When did you learn how to cook and do your little sisters hair so nice? The phone rings and it's always for you, making it clear that you have made a lot of friends and be spending less time with me. When did you begin calling me "dad", instead of "daddy"? I remember how hard it was to leave you that first day you went to nursery school. I want my baby back, I wish I could slow things down and cherish every moment that I had taken for grant it."Okay dad, I mean daddy. you need to slow down and take a deep breath. First of all, I'm only eleven and your acting like I'm in an old folks home. You know how much I love you dad, and I'll always be your baby girl. Let's not focus on your fear of the future , and keep enjoying every day together, just the three of us". Today I am so very happy to have my two girls by my side, living together, loving each other, and taking on the roll of "Mister Mom" to my children