Over the past month and a half we have gone every weekend to one park or the other. Lilli has a blast every single time. She exhausts herself to the point where she passes out in the car before we even get out of the lot. I'd say we got our money's worth, for sure.
As a result of our many trips, we've had to deal with a major "letting go" moment. We've had the joy of experiencing this moment over and over since beginning our weekend adventures. Putting Lilli on a ride... by. her. self. Seriously?!?! My baby!? ALONE! ON A RIDE! The park has a few rides specifically for kids her size, but still, the vision of seeing her sitting on a swing alone sent panic through my heart. Then the ride started... My panic turned into fear, then pride, then sadness. My baby is not a baby. She hasn't been for a while now, but this...
This was hard to swallow. She rode the swings, the train, the motorcycles, and the airplanes. All alone. All grown into a child before my very eyes. She still likes to ride with us, thank goodness. I think if she started the teenage years early my heart would turn to pieces.
Although it breaks my heart to see her sitting in a ride alone while we stand on the sidelines cheering and waving, it's for the best. I almost get tears in my eyes thinking about how far she's come in such a short time. She is so independent and adventurous it's scary. She may not remember it, but we are spending some serious quality time together. "We're depositing so much into her emotional bank," Dave says. He's right. We're having a blast doing it too.
I take it back, Dave. Our adventures were the best investment you've ever convinced me fold on.
"Song of the Entry"
