In some ways, I feel like I'm already listening to the *tick* *tick* *tick* of borrowed time. When I was her age, the training wheels were gone and I was flying free through the neighborhood.
But, I was far more independent than she is. I was born trying to run away while she has spent her life trying to crawl back into the womb. It's one of the ways our personalities are fundamentally different.
While I rarely ask for help (one of my faults, if we're being honest), she asks for help entirely too often.
It's OK, though. It's good to be needed and not a day goes by without the short person making me feel VERY, VERY, VERY needed.
Maybe a little too needed.
At 5 1/2, she still flat-out refuses to ride her bike alone. She still refuses to ride her bike fast. She still refuses to even consider putting her feet on the pedals when within 50 feet of a hill. She still demands that I hold on to her at all times.
And if I demand that she try being a little independent, that she act a little more like the Big Girl she is on the outside, the waterworks start.
She may be starting to look like a Big Girl, but she still needs her mommy. In her heart, she's still a Little Girl.
Sometimes I think this growing up thing is harder on her than it is me. She wants to be a Big Girl, but she most definitely isn't ready just yet.
Just keep borrowing that time, Alexis. I'm kind of enjoying it.