Early this morning, I woke up with a sense of panic. You know, the kind where you have a pit in your stomach, your heart is beating fast, and you just *know* that something bad/sad is going to happen? Upon reflection, I had a dream in which I was looking through an old notebook that Arya had drawn in while she was growing up. Numerous small drawings showcased the progression of her artistic talent, allowing you to see how it developed. These are real notebooks...I have one that I use for work, and the last few pages are her scribbled drawings from early elementary school. I do believe that I'm grappling with the fact that she's got one more year left at home before she leaves for college. I'm happy and excited for the next phase of her life, but I will miss her so much. I know she has every intention to come back home over the holidays, summers, etc., and maybe even when she's done at school. She knows that she always has a place with us, regardless. I also realized tha...
"Siblings...like branches on a tree we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one."