She was on training wheels for all of a week. She became confident at riding and turning on her own very quickly. And now she has attained complete mastery of her bike, having recently gained the ability and confidence to stop and start on her own. I was overjoyed when she flashed her smile at me after showing off her new skill to us for the first time. And yet…

Sigh.

You know, it’s amazing. Just five years ago she couldn’t even walk. Now I see her riding her bicycle on her own, making her own decisions, her confidence and abilities growing faster day by day. We’ve raised her. We’ve taught her that and just about everything else she knows. I couldn’t be more proud.

And yet, every time she reaches one of these milestones, and I can see the strong, confident woman she is becoming, I mourn a little for the little girl she is pedaling away from so quickly.

Comments

1. u l a n on 2006-03-24 22:10:25 wrote: i’m single and i don’t have any kids. but i know of this bittersweet feeling, though definitely not quite as profoundly as you know it =) are you familiar with the 10,000 Maniacs’ “How You’ve Grown”? it might be the appropriate soundtrack to your entry. =)