Backpacks gather. Shoes find the right feet. Dogs go into their crates and in all the rustle, bustle of preparing to leave Thursday night, I hear her Dad call out, “Can I hug nine-year-old Molly for the last time?”
She sheepishly grins and wraps her arms around him squeezing tight. I turn from my office chair and say just as loud, “Ohhhhh, I want to hug a nine-year-old Molly for the last time, too!” She smiles and opens her arms to me.
I hug her hard and I try to remember every single thing about her, right then, right in this very moment. I close my eyes and concentrate. Did six years really just flash by in a blink?
She is heading home to her Mom’s house for the weekend, and the next time I see her, she will break nine at ten-years old. Ten!
The tiny tot of four who I met all those years ago? She doesn’t miss a step as she leaps into her double digits. She does it and she does it with all the grace and muster of a grown-up, and all the soft, gentle sweetness of a child.
I can’t believe it.
It really doesn’t seem that long ago…
It’s bad enough I watched one little girl grow up too fast. Do I really have to watch another? And really, two more? What was I thinking? This is not cool. Not cool at all.
Dear Life….slow down!
::Sigh::
I put together some photos through the years. Mostly because, I like to cry like to see how fast they grow. Maybe it’s my proof that this all really happened, and I watched it happen.
Six years of it. Right before my very eyes.
I can’t imagine the next six.
But I guess I have to try. It’s happening…whether I like it, or not.
Happy Birthday to the biggest, brightest ten-year-old I know. You broke nine. Let’s see what you can do with ten.
Living, Loving, Laughing.... 
Those innocent years pass oh too quickly, don’t they?
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Yes, I think that is what 10 means. The beginning of the end of innocence as they become more realistic and the magic of make-believe fades. Too short those years! Way too short.
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“I hug her hard and I try to remember every single thing about her, right then, right in this very moment. I close my eyes and concentrate.”
Beautifully expressed post, Angelia!
Doesn’t it just blow you away at how fast time flies?
Great photo collages. Molly is such a pretty young lady. Love her eyes!
Hope all is going well with your husbands shoulder.
Have a super week, my friend!
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Hi Ron!
He has been working non-stop and has no time for shoulder pain or pain pills. 😦 Poor guy! I know he needs rest. At least he is handling it all well. Two more birthdays coming up – my almost son-in-law today and my daughter is next week! Goodness.
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Oh No! I miss the days she sit with me on the steps and gave me a hug! I love that sweet big girl!
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 19:46:47 +0000 To: suelrussell@hotmail.com
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She loves you! I’m sure she will keep giving out hugs. She has to because Grandma taught her how. 🙂
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A lot of personality and feeling to these outstanding shots! Excellent!
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Thanks Phil! I like having a camera around to record these events..like growing up too fast. 😀
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Wow! Time flies. I can’t believe it. Wow.
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I know! Crazy!?!
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Yes. It is amazing. I think it is so great that you caught so much on “film”.
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Noooo, I’m with you. Slow it down!
We will have a ten year old this year too.
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