Not So Baby Gracie

My baby starts 4th grade in a few days.  The start of each school year is bittersweet.  It's hard to realize that the little girl I had is slowly slipping away, but wonderful to realize what an incredible person she's turning into.  I am very lucky.  My daughter is intelligent, funny, kind, creative, and beautiful.  I'm not biased either.  She also makes a killer peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  She's great.  She knows how to charm anyone she comes into contact with and she takes very good care of me when I don't feel well...unless I steal the couch.  

My daughter is also very strong willed.  She got that from me.  I should be grateful for this and I am, but unfortunately, it causes a lot of fights.  Two strong willed people who want different things can cause some pretty explosive fights.  She has her own idea of how things should be done, but I know the right way.  I'm older so I've had a chance to figure out how to do things.  Instead of letting her experiment with doing things her way until she realizes my way is easier, I just keep harping at her to do it my way.  I should quit doing that.  My way might actually not be easier for her.  Her way might be easier for me, too.  I'm not very patient either.  I should slow down.  A lot of times, slowing down isn't an option when you're a single parent.

Most of the time, Grace and I are a happy family.  We can look at one another and burst into uncontrollable laughter for absolutely no reason.  She knows I love her and I know she loves me, even when we're screaming at each other.  At the end of the day, she still wants her mommy when she has a nightmare and I still kiss her goodnight and tell her I love her even when I'm really mad.  On the rare occasion that Grace is at a friend's house or at her dad's, I miss her terribly.

She's a good egg.