So I've been in denial up to now that my Baby Duck is about to start kindergarten.  Everything has been kind of surreal, like shopping for school supplies and visiting the school.  Now I am minutes away from putting her to bed.  Her clothes are laid out and her backpack is ready to go, complete with her Nutcracker that she wanted to take for her first ever Show-and-Tell.  Now I have a squirmy feeling in my stomach. 
     Don't get me wrong; I don't wish she wasn't going to go.  I love seeing her move forward in life and grow up.  I never lose sight of the big picture when it's time for my girls to take the next step in their life.  But there is always that wistful moment.  Or hour.  Or week... when you know that they could not be more ready to progress, but you're not sure you are prepared for it!  Ah, but nothing ever really can prepare us for those moments.  That's why I don't fight the denial phase.  It keeps me from worrying too much- and if you know me, you know I spend my life worrying.  Denial is a vacation from worry!  And it's not like worrying ever solves anything, so I might as well skip it and just let reality smack me in the face in the morning. 
     To ice the cake, my family will be hitting a large number of milestones this year.  For starters, when my stepdaughters are included, I have girls starting kindergarten, middle school and high school this year!  Talk about a lot to be excited for!  Also, in the funny pattern category:  I was a senior in high school the year my baby brother started kindergarten.  He will be a senior this year as my daughter starts kindergarten.  What a strange form of deja vu my mom must be experiencing right about now!
     Time to stare this bad boy in the face.  Gotta get the kiddos in bed... we have school in the morning.

CL