Up until now, you’ve probably been more attached to me than any of your sisters have been. Your 5th year was spent wanting me. You preferred me to your dad. You wanted me to pick you up from school earlier in the day so we didn’t have to apart. You wanted me to snuggle you every night. I was your person. I am thankful for every moment of that season. It’s gratifying to be loved SO much by the cutest little redheaded girl in the world.
But I’ve noticed lately that you don’t need me quite so much anymore. I think it all began when we brought Diletta home from the hospital. You adopted your role of extra-big sister with ease. You wanted to snuggle Diletta more than anyone else did. I think you preferred mothering the baby to being mothered by me.
All the time at home during COVID-19 gave you extra time to bond with your dad, too. Since he was no longer going to work all day, every day, and you didn’t go to school for six months, you had time to play together. You seem a little less reliant on me now that you and dad are such good buddies.
And now you are off to kindergarten and thriving. If I’m honest, I worried a little bit about sending you to kindergarten as one of the youngest students in the class. I thought, because of your June birthday, the scholastic side of school might be a bit more challenging for you. And I thought, because you can be shy sometimes, the social side might be overwhelming too. I could not have been more wrong. You came home from your first day of school talking about your new friend Aria. A few weeks later, you came home talking about how Kira and Aria and you were now a “team” of friends. And on the academic side — you are reading! Like truly reading. It’s one of the greatest joys of motherhood to watch your child learn to read and you have picked it up in a snap. Apparently, the Abeka curriculum you used during your 2/3 of a year of pre-K (thanks, Covid) did the trick, because I think you are growing in fluency quicker than Zianne did. I am blown away every night when we sit down to conquer another Bob book. You are so excited about your new skill and you like to practice every day.
Part of me would love to stay curled up for bedtime with four-year-old Talitha who wanted me more than anyone else, but the better part of me loves watching five-year-old Talitha soar. As your grandma once told me, you have to raise them to leave the nest. Thankfully, we still have many more years in the nest together, but I also see a girl who will be ready to fly when the time comes. It’s a privilege to watch you grow your wings.
Love you always
Mama
