The Kissing Hand

Summer is slowly ending and although you wouldn't know it by the 90 degree heat that is lingering, there are telltale signs that summer is coming to a close. The pools and parks are nearly empty and the school busses have returned to the neighborhood. Any other year, my daughters and I would watch the kids head out to school or see them standing at the bus stop, but this year is different. This year my oldest daughter started kindergarten. It's been a bittersweet week....mostly for me. My daughter is doing great with the transition. On the second day of class as I was dropping her off outside of her classroom she briefly turned around and said "Bye Mom". I had to coax her into giving me a goodbye hug before she disappeared into the classroom. By the second day, I dropped her off outside of the school building and watched my little girl walk in all on her own....so little, yet so big.

I'll admit that having her at school has afforded me some added quiet at home, but I still have a 2 year-old to keep me company on errands and while doing life's daily activities. Little sister loves to help mom out and I think that she has enjoyed having all of the toys to herself! But, today I looked at my youngest daughter and for a second I was taken back three years to the time when my oldest was two and followed me all around the house. And, in that moment I thought about how quickly time goes. That in a blink of an eye, my daughter has turned from a baby that never wanted to leave my side into a 5 year-old that is embracing her new adventures out into the world. I admit it's a bit hard letting go. So, there you have the bitter part, but the sweet part is how proud I am of her and all of the progress that she has made. She's an amazing kid with an phenomenal spirit and I am honored to be her mom.

Today she came home with a picture that she had colored of a little hand with a pink heart in the middle of it. On the sheet it said "Ask me to tell you about The Kissing Hand". When I asked my daughter about this a smile grew across her face and she began to tell the story of a little raccoon who was beginning school. His mother kissed his hand before he left and the little raccoon could feel the kiss travel up his arm to his heart. All day long the little raccoon could feel his mother's love just by touching his hand to his face. Hearing my sweet little daughter tell this story brought tears to my eyes. I kissed her hand, gave her a hug and off she went to play.

It's not easy letting go, but I know that she feels my love all day long and there is no doubt that I feel hers. So, I kiss my baby's hand, give her her backpack and lunch box, and send her out into the world. I know she'll be alright....as for me I'm still keeping the tissues handy!

Here's hoping you feel the love of someone special in your life all day long!