A Momma’s Muse: I Love You to the Moon and Back

"Mommy?" Her little voice whispered to me from the foot of the bed.

"Yes, Baby Girl," I said half asleep.

I heard little feet scuff across the carpet toward the bed...

"Mommy, it's time to put on my school clothes."

I opened my eyes and saw nothing but darkness and a teeny bit of light escaping through the curtains. "Dear Lord, what time is it?" I thought.

Glancing at my phone, I noticed that it was just 6:30 AM. She didn't need to be at school until 9:15. This girl was raring to go.

Her blond hair had fallen in front of her face but I could still see her squenching up that little nose at me. "It's TIME to put on my school clothes."

Seeing her persistence and anticipation for school made my heart smile. "Ok, let's eat breakfast first."

She ate her favorite that morning-cheesy scrambled eggs and strawberry milk. She even asked for seconds-which was odd for my little lady. The excitement just oozed from her. In no time at all, she was ready to run back upstairs and put on her school clothes. I hobbled along because I had pulled my lower back muscles again and the pain was radiating through my hips. By the time I had made it up the stairs she had already picked out her outfit and was putting it on.

"Mommy, will you help me brush my teeth?"

"Sure baby. Usually I ask her to start brushing and I finish, but I didn't want to fight with her. This was her first day and I wanted it to be just perfect. She asked for a headband (her new favorite hair accessory) and washed her own face.

In my mind, I felt the fleeting sadness that she was too little to be growing up so quickly. I pushed the feeling aside and went downstairs to pack her backpack and snack. At last, I could sit on the couch and rest my back for awhile until carpool arrived. She opened the hall closet and I heard her rustling through her shoes. Closing the door she proudly walked over to me and I noticed something very peculiar. Baby Girl, headband extraordinaire, dressy little princess had picked the oddest pair of shoes possible-water shoes. Like the shoes she wears in the creek or the ocean. I thought, "Now I really can't let her go to school looking like that. But if I squash her choice in shoes it could hurt her. Heck! Let her go like that! If a monsoon hits, atleast she'll be prepared." So I said not a word.

"Let's go take your picture, Baby Girl."

"Ok, here mommy. I'll give you my hands and help you up."

My heart jumped into my throat. I could just cry talking about it. As much as I had tried to put on a brave strong face, my little girl still recognized that Mommy's back was hurt. She had witnessed The Hubs helping me up for the past two days and she was trying her best to replicate what she saw. But more than just replicating, she was showing empathy! Three years old! My little girl was growing in her sense of empathy for others. What a huge milestone!

My heart swelled with pride and joy. "Thank you Baby Girl. But I think I can manage."

She took some of the spunkiest pictures ever. I liken her to Pippy Longstocking-when she's looking for her spunk. Baby Girl exuded the most confident smile I've ever seen in a three year old. Her bruisy legs reminded me of Iggy on Fried Green Tomatoes. I was never more proud or thankful for her than in that moment...

Baby Girl,

Three years old! I still can't get over how much you've changed since the first year you started school. Not only physically have you grown but emotionally and socially. You empathize with others. You're gentle around younger children. You are beyond verbal! Sometimes so much so, I mistakingly think you are older than what you are. You are so much fun!!! You love to dance and twirl and even sing along with me to the radio. You are such a helper to me!!! You clean your own room (with my guided help) and you bring your plate to the counter when finished with a meal. You are a self starter, putting on your own clothes and going to the bathroom by yourself.

Daddy and I are so proud of you and want you to know that there is nothing you could ever do, to make us stop loving you. I blink my eyes and you've grown. It shows me that I need to appreciate your littleness for as long as I can. Grow up strong, brave and confident little one. I will close with what you said to me the other day...

"Mommy, do you know how much I love you?"

"Hmmm, how much?"

"I love you to the moon and back."

Well Baby Girl, I love you to the moon and back again ten times over...