8/12/09

I turned my back for a MINUTE, and you became a swan...


Dear Sassy,

Please excuse me for a minute while I catch my breath, my heart seems to have stopped working. I guess I wasn’t prepared for what my heart would feel when I watched you laugh and pose for your senior portraits.


Do you know what I saw?


I saw the young girl who kept her naked Barbies in the fridge.

I saw the girl who for two weeks went to preschool looking like a smurff after her sister colored her from head to toe with a blue permanent marker.

I saw the girl who rolled and flipped and rolled down a huge flight of steps in our old house, and then popped up and ran outside to join the boys playing in the mud in the yard.

I saw the girl who jumped off her top bunk, ripped her knee wide open and ended up with a huge smiley face stitched under her kneecap.

I see the girl who held her sister down in a chokehold after seeing her wearing your pants not TOO long ago.


But you know what the camera saw?


A beautiful young woman about to embark on the greatest adventure of all: her life.


May the angels travel with you; I know my heart will.



(My Crystal Light Water update...I am driving Bitchy insane...)



84 comments:

Hit 40 said...

I wonder if Sassy will let you post a pic for us? So fabulous seeing your hard work pay off as she grows into a wonderful adult.

ToyLady said...

It's still amazing to me that I turned around and the pudgy, curly-headed toddler (who WAS "just like me only shorter") has become a lean, mean, 6-foot-3 young man who is now "just like me only taller!"

*sniff*

WeaselMomma said...

It makes my heart grow with pride and shed a tear when I see how my children have grown. That is until they something really pissy and I just get frustrated.

Akelamalu said...

That's what happens when you take your eyes off them for just a minute. They grow up so quickly don't they? :)

Unknown said...

It all passes by so quickly...
now as I watch my daughter's daughters play, I am blessed to relive those moments once again...this time I simply sit back and enjoy!
How blessed you are!
~AM

Ann On and On... said...

Words to cherish...

Kim said...

Some days, they seem to grow up so fast. Other days, not so much!

SSP said...

with none of my own, i have to live vicariously through my brother and sister, and to see my little pudgy angel boy, who is now 18....with size 14 feet...has been amazing! hope we get to see the pictures!!

Scary Mommy said...

A warning would have been nice, thank you very much. Now I need to go clean up my tear stained face!

Stephanie said...

Such a beautiful post. My baby is only 10 and I can't believe how fast they change!!

Brian Miller said...

that was awesome...brought a flutter to my heart at my boys growing older through your post. they are off to grammas for the week so T and I get some fun time...

An Open Heart said...

What a beautiful love letter to your daughter! Seriously, my heart swelled!
S

Rick Daley said...

File this under sad but true:

No matter how long you keep naked Barbie in the fridge, her nipples will not perk up.

Sprite's Keeper said...

I love this. And having gotten to see a few of them, she's a heart breaker!
xoxo

Unknown said...

Don't you hate when they grow up?! Mine is only one but still, I just freakin' had him, I don't know what I'll do when I see his senior pictures. Maybe ground him?

CJ said...

I love your posts! They are really witty and cute! This one was wonderful too! So this is how you feel when your young'uns grow up?!

Chaitra

Carolyn...Online said...

Sigh. That was so lovely. It's weird that they grow up.

darsden said...

take your time.. catch it slow because time flies by..

gotta know why she kept her babies in the fridge

Desert Songbird said...

It's both incredibly exciting and horribly frightening to watch our daughter's emerge as young women, isn't it?

Lorraine said...

You've taken my breath away with this post. There are tears from being touched by such wonderful words.

Angie @ Just Like The Number said...

My 7-year-old is wondering why I felt the sudden urge to leave the computer and go love on her for awhile. Thanks, Vodkamom!

Vodka Logic said...

I know how you feel..and it never ends.

thanks for the reminder.
xx

cheatymoon said...

You're such a great mom. xxoo

Mrs. E said...

What a beautiful post! Now put Sassy on so we can bug her to see a Senior Pic, too!!

Anonymous said...

Awww... that was sweet. It reminds me of a "Zits" comic strip that I cut out and now has a permanet spot on our fridge to remiond me. (It is the 12.18.2005 strip if anyone wants to look it up.) In it, the mom "unzips" her teen son and removes the toddler-Jeremy from inside, then they play games, bake cookies, laugh, etc. It reminds me not to take my time for granted, that my own little boys will soon be unholdable, too cool for kisses and hugs, and too big to carry. Sigh.

And so the big fight was over pants, huh?

Anonymous said...

I'm still trying to figure out how to make mine stop growing up. No success so far, they just seem to keep growing up no matter what I do.

I'll let you know if I ever figure it out. Hope you'll do the same for me.

Pollyanna said...

I've been looking through all the pictures of my five year old over the last few days in preparation of a slide show for her first day of kindergarten. While I don't have quiet as many memories as you, I know the ache in your heart. But it's a wonderful ache, isn't it?

Sharon Rose said...

That was beautiful! What a lovely way to honor your daughter's rite of passage into becoming a lady.

SkylersDad said...

It really is amazing how fast they grow up. Someday I hope my maturity level catches up to my son's.

Anonymous said...

You always know what to say to tug at someones heart strings!

Sandee said...

You'll be home soon and this will all disappear. Just saying. Bwahahahahaha.

Have a terrific day. Big hug. :)

Me said...

Wow I could have written this post, well if I was as good at writing as you are. My daughter just had senior pics taken this past week and I too just stood there and marveled at what a beautiful girl she had become. For the first time I saw the 18 year old that she will shortly be. I told my husband for the first time she looked like a senior and not our baby.

Christy said...

I'm so happy for you! It's so nice getting great portraits done, isn't it?

Irish Chick Soup said...

That's beautiful. Can you adopt me?

*Akilah Sakai* said...

Beautiful words, VodkaMom.

Naked Barbies in the fridge? That's a new one.

Jane! said...

At our house the Barbies were tied up and thrown in the hamper. I don't want to think where that will lead.

Anyway, do YOU know why they insist on taking senior pictures so early - before the kids are even seniors? I don't get it.

Samantha said...

Naked barbies in the fridge! Sassy is sassy!

Unknown said...

You see how that they do that?
They're one minute away from being sent on an all expenses paid trip to the moon via the tip of your shoe... and then they go and do something like that...every time.

It works, though.

Peace - Rene

The Grandpa said...

It's amazing what happens, isn't it? My daughter was here with her family this past wekend, and the week before we visited my son and his family in California. In a couple of weeks we'll be going up to New Hampshire to visit my oldest son and his family. I love seing them as adults and as good parents. But I still see the child in each one of them. It makes me smile, most of the time. That was a nice tribute to your daughter.

for a different kind of girl said...

This is so beautiful! I imagine your daughter is, too. How in heaven do they get from babies to amazing people with amazing futures ahead of them so dang fast?!

Jennie said...

Sounds like your daughter is well on her way with a Mom who is so caring!

Maggie May said...

I try to pay attention closer, closer, because I know this time is SO FAST, and Lola will be getting her senior pictures done and I will be thinking of her naked barbies in the fridge.

Char said...

Lovely post. Isn't it unbelievable
how, in the blink of an eye, you see the transformation to adulthood. Bittersweet.

Jan said...

And it is a moment you will remember forever.

Meg said...

I'm personally glad my kids are out of the stage of ripping knees open and swallowing glow lights.

IB said...

It's always a surprise when you realize they have actually grown up. Sad, beautiful, wonderful- all at the same time. Kids: you gotta love 'em

Nice post

Joanna Jenkins said...

That's beautiful. It's amazing how fast they grow up.

xo

Liz Wilkey (a.k.a. A Mom on Spin) said...

I guess we moms clean up pretty nice once in a while. . .

shrink on the couch said...

Aww. You have the greatest knack for capturing details that remind me why motherhood is worth it.

Best wishes to your burgeoning swan.

Kathryn Magendie said...

This is beautiful - *smiling*

Sue said...

Oh how they grow up so, so very fast, in the blink of an eye!

Mango Girl said...

It is so beautiful to watch them turn into swans...I know your heart is swollen with pride.

Way to GO Mom! I wish the absolute best in the world for Sassy!

Captain Dumbass said...

Aw.

Anonymous said...

She's off to a new stage or her life and so are you! :)

Anonymous said...

She's off to a new stage or her life and so are you! :)

Elenka said...

Makes it all worth while, doesn't it?

Fragrant Liar said...

Now is her time. It's so nice to see when they actually come into their own.

Pseudo said...

This was absolutely gorgeous.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

This was very sweet. It made me smile. But it also made me think about my two year old daughter who will walk up to me, throw her arms around my knees and say, "Mommy - I love you sooooo much!" and think, "I'm not ready - don't grow up so fast."

tamilyn said...

I still get teary eyed when I look at my eldest daughter's senior pics. She leaves in 18 days. I think my heart will stop beating that day.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Durn...the same thing happened to me...but only in reverse.

I'm following you, you big Twit!

2 Brits, 2 Yanks, 2 Dogs said...

That was really lovely!

Hey here's a question for you what is happening with your book? Especially now you have over 1000 followers.

flutter said...

This is lovely.

Joanie said...

Oh, I know that feeling all too well. I got it when I took photos of my kids a few weeks back. It's just...wrong...that they grow so quickly and become these glorious people when we're still seeing them as babies.

Hugs!

The Women's Colony said...

You gotta love a girl who keeps you on your toes.--Jenn

Formerly known as Frau said...

Pictures don't lie...maybe deep down she not so Sassy after all.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"A beautiful young woman about to embark on the greatest adventure of all: her life."

Oh, Vodka Mom. You aren't so tough after all. What a special moment for both of you.

anymommy said...

Sob.

Bano said...

I am newly pregnant and can't wait for moments like this someday. :) Thanks for sharing.

Melisa Wells said...

Great post: and I'm right there too. My son's senior pics will be taken at the end of next month...sigh....

Anonymous said...

Morning Vodka.. they sure grow up fast. Almost scary fast, but once they do they become your best friend for life. An amazing transformation. *smiles*

Also, take note that The Blue Ridge Gal has made some changes and my blog is now known as Snappy Finger. Come see when you have time!

Di
Snappy
http://snappyfinger.blogspot.com/

The Good Cook said...

sniff. And I'm only on my first cup of coffee.

As Cape Cod Turns said...

Naked Barbies in the fridge? Was that an appetizer or a main dish?

Unknown said...

Now that just plain moved me to tears.

Christine said...

Beautiful. Make sure you print it and put it in the place where you save things for her. Stuff like this is what it is all about.

The Demigod said...

This deserves a standing ovation! Well done, Vodkamom! You always amaze me with your ability to make me laugh AND cry at the same time.

Also, my therapist thinks I'm turning schizo, I'm sending you the bill. J/K! :P

Woo222 said...

This is beautiful! It made me tear up. You always have the most eloquent way of regaling us with your experiences and thoughts. It is very touching!

♥ Braja said...

And I saw a beautiful woman whose heart was made from her mother's love, whose smile was the result of the love she'd grown up with, and a certainty that was born from the security she's felt all her life....

Kim said...

I love this post!!!! Perfect!!!! I'm dealing with my only child leaving for college next week and although this made me tear up, I'm so glad I came across it!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Shit.

This made me sniffle.

The Stiletto Mom said...

Dammit. You made me cry.

Tara @ Feels Like Home said...

I loved the title as soon as I saw it, but I love the post even more. I feel this way, and my daughter is only 2. The days just fly by.

(I sat next to you in the Blog to Book session at BlogHer. It's nice to finally stop by your blog.)

Anonymous said...

you made me tear up! where is she going? college? omg I can't deal with that thought.

DKC said...

Making me cry at work, dammit!!