Three Words

“Let me walk.”

Powerful little words mark an act of independence and a shift in the way we’ll be doing things. If you’re a parent of an older child, you know this moment, too. The endearing plea of “I want to hold you, Mommay” has been replaced with the much more commanding and spirited “let ME waaaaaaaaawlk.”

I lowered him onto the ground and off he went toward the FedEx truck. Several steps later, he stopped and turned to look for me. I was there, of course, with a bittersweet smile on my heart and a cheerful tone: “It’s alright- you can get closer.” As he got closer, the driver hopped back in the truck and drove away with a beepbeep of the horn for my little guy…. “Let’s follow him, Mommy.” I didn’t agree to follow the truck because I knew it’d be out of sight before we could get back to the car. He WAS walking after all. 

As the truck drove away before we could catch up, so will my little beeper continue to grow until he’s out of sight and on his own. It’s happening with his sister. 

“Let me walk.” It’s begun. My last baby and his little red shoes taking him wherever we go. I will rest assured knowing there will be times I’ll hold him on my left hip and carry him with arms flung around my neck. But, those moments will get farther apart until one day they’ll be gone. I don’t remember when this happened with my best girl. I didn’t know I needed to remember. So when she asks me to tuck her in or hold her hand, you better bet I will. 

Three words: I love them. 

Powerful words punctuating a mother’s life.