ten

So that's it;
the last time I'll snuggle my ten year old before sleep.

Sloane turns eleven tomorrow.
Like every other parent, I marvel at how the days slip past in a blur.

I cry a bit at how quickly the thread of these childhood years is spun out.
The spool is more than half empty.

In less time than it has taken for her to turn eleven, she will be gone from home.
She will be off having adventures and meeting people we know nothing about.

She will be grown.

My heart aches at that thought.
Wait, my heart begs.  Wait.  Slow down.  Just a little, sweetheart.  Just a little.  

But time, and little girls, just don't wait.
They grow and blossom and become women while you watch.

And, if you're smart, and very, very blessed
you know enough to pay attention - to not miss a thing.

Because it is over more quickly than you can imagine.
Don't blink.

Sloane was three or four months old in this picture.  She always has been this delightful.