As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be

Say it ain't so. This little thing just registered for kindergarten today. I suppose it's cause she's not so little anymore. My baby isn't a baby. My baby will be a kindergartner in a few short months. My baby is independent and doesn't need a mommy in the same capacity anymore.

Pause while I choke back the tears. And then freak out about the world eating her alive.

Because she is my last I wanted to savor her littleness, which was in direct conflict with her desire to be as mature as her sister. But at night as we get her all tucked in and she takes my hand, cups it with her chubby fingers and tucks it safely under her chin, I know her attempt to be wise beyond her years has been set aside. She wants to be my baby as much as I still need her to be.

Man this letting go stuff is hard.