tomorrow ends the regularly scheduled classes, an end for her days as a carefree youth

the next adventure is high school

i worry i am less prepared than she for the momentous hurdle

my awkward years are still going strong as she becomes a capable woman

how did she pass my level of maturity at such a young age

when did she become such a beacon of intelligence and beauty

i feel lost in wonder

at least he is still somewhat small

but even that is fading

his mind is incredible while his questions become more pointed and severe

soon he will not need cuddles either

soon these arms will be left bereft of the small ones that always filled them with room to spare

now they strain to hold on

tomorrow ends a chapter

the new sheet of paper feels daunting as i wait to see the words the no longer childlike scratching writes

i sit fondly looking backwards as the present fills with melancholy and the future seems frightful

not for them though

they are stronger than i ever was

which is the whole point