Five of Clubbs: This one's gonna hurt

My daughter, Lily, is starting kindergarten. I have been down this road twice before, but this go-round is different. When I sent Eva off on her first day, I was holding Eli. And when Eli left, Lily probably needed a diaper change. This time, I'm on my own.

I knew this day would come. In the midst of the messiness and sleep deprivation, I told myself to appreciate the little moments of Lily's baby- and toddlerhood because I had living proof that kids grow up fast. I also knew it would be a little different because she is my only child born after I was employed full time. But, throughout daycare and preschool, we always had a Lily and Mommy afternoon during the week. It might just be grocery shopping, but it was our time. Now she will be on the same schedule as her sister and brother. I know it's not getting a driver's license or leaving for college, but starting kindergarten is another big step in that whole "roots and wings" process. And since she is my baby, it is the end of an era. I have no preschoolers.

As bittersweet as it is for this chapter of my life to come to a close, there is so much to look forward to. Besides, they're not that grown-up. I still have to play the "Did you wash your hands? Really? If I smelled them, would they smell like soap?" game. And maybe, just maybe, even when all three of my kids have cracked the code, they will still like to snuggle up and listen to me read aloud a chapter from "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle."

Lily has an appointment coming up for her 5-year check-up and kindergarten shots. We've been talking about how to be brave. I know she wouldn't believe me if I told her, but they really will hurt me more than they hurt her. In so many ways.

About Brooke

Brooke is a wife and mother who runs around Jackson (literally) and teaches communication studies at Southeast. You may see her putting on a brave face with her soon-to-be seventh-grader, fourth-grader or kindergartner in the school supply aisle of Target in the near future.