Finally Five

It's been an eternity in the making -- if you ask Anna Zane. To me, it feels like only a flutter and here she is: Five years old.

She's fantasized about five for months, assuming it means ears pierced and pets welcomed. This morning she reported on her growth in height and strength . . . just over night.

We've visited kindergarten roundup. We've played with friends "alone" in the backyard. (Why am I saying "we"? Please. It is all her.) Gone to the restroom without an adult. Said adios to tonsils and adenoids in a braver, tougher fashion than I could ever muster. Learned to use the brakes on her bike. Planted vegetables. Trimmed bushes with real clippers. Stopped napping. And all of this while yet four. What will happen during year five??????

I'm proud of her. She is a free spirit, loves to create, has a knack for math, competes with the best of them, is a fiercely loyal friend, loves her family deeply, dreams of being big, and is certain she and her sister are twins. My life is more meaningful, more vibrant, just more because of her.

I've shared this poem before, but I couldn't stop thinking about it today. For my eldest daughter, with all my love:

17 Again

Three tiny stanzas to turn into three

Famous words. Your 10 fingers and toes

Take hold of my one heart.

Until 18, I have you. Until 99, I’ll miss 

You. Two eyes, two ears—we share it all.

Millions of curls to adore.

I love you. I love you. I love you. I love

You. My little sunshine, redeemed again.

Two. Seventeen. Eleven.