"The End of an Era"

So...the day is over. I'm exhausted, but A. had such a blast. Despite so much being out of routine (which resulted in a few tantrums) she had a lot of fun.

Thus ends a chapter in my life. "The end of an era" as my husband put it.

I'm going to miss my little sweet pea. She has taught me so much...or rather, God has taught me so much through her. I've been working with her since the Spring of 2006, and I am convinced my experience with her over the past 2 and a half years has been preparing me for motherhood someday. I think I could only love this little girl more if she had come from my own womb. But, she's someone else's daughter that I just got to borrow for awhile.

As much as I love her, I know it was time for me to step back and let her go. She can't rely on me to be there for the rest of her life. Plus, it's time for me to move on myself and help other people in other ways. I kind of feel like Mary Poppins.

I did cry as I put her on the bus (just like the end of last summer when I wasn't sure if I'd get the job to be her aide in kindergarten). But it may not be the last time I see her. Her parents have been great and they both have made it clear that I shouldn't "hesitate to call if [I] want to stop by and see [her]".

Her mom is a Creative Memories consultant too, so that gives me another excuse to stay in touch! She actually gave me a nice little Creative Memories "Picfolio Minutes" photo album as an end of the year "thank you" gift.

So it may be the end of an era...but perhaps not the end of a friendship.