A Slice of Early Morning

Ran through the "back to normal" wake up routine this morning.  Hopped out of the shower and headed down to wake the middle schooler up.  That's always a tough job.  As I entered her hallway the glow of a light from under the door of her room greeted me .  Must've fallen asleep with her light on, again. Harrumph, I thought.

Gently swinging her door wide, I begin our ritual: "Hey Sweetie Pie, it's time to, huh?"  The zebra striped blanket that usually cozily covers her was flung to the side of her bed, and the bed was empty.  At that moment the bathroom door opened and my hard-to-wake-up girl walked out, dressed, with her hair rolled in curlers!  Stupidly, perhaps still half asleep, I said, "You're up?!"

"Yep," she responded.  "I decided I wanted curls in my hair, so I set my alarm for 5:30 and got right up.  In fact, Mom, I feel so great!  I'm wide awake, my bags are packed, and I'll be ready to go to school on time."  I went back up the stairs to get myself dressed and ready, awed by these changes that mark the arrival of maturity and slightly chagrined that she is so obviously capable.   

I will miss our little wake up routine; having my now-fourteen year old baby still need me for something as important as starting the day has been really special.  But, she's growing up, and the separation process she is beginning is healthy and appropriate.  I'm left, at the end of the day, struggling between feeling sadness that she's growing up so quickly and pride that she is becoming such an amazing young woman.