This morning I woke up in a bit of disbelief … and even after a few rounds of coffee the facts really didn’t seem any more plausible. So this is what a decade feels like? My daughter turns ten years old today … and while I can’t really say it feels like “just yesterday” that she was a baby, it certainly doesn’t seem like ten years could have gone by while I wasn’t looking. It’s funny, really … those who know me outside of my every day life — work colleagues, acquaintances, etc. often are surprised to know I have a daughter, much less one who’s turning ten. I’m not sure if I should take this as a compliment or insult … but most days I still share their surprise. I never saw myself much as the mothering type and I’m sure I’ve made more than my fair share of parenting mistakes along the way. My daughter was born when I was only 22, which didn’t seem odd at the time, but looking back it feels really young. I certainly had no idea what I was getting into … I’d never been around babies and I’d certainly never changed a diaper before. Of course when I was pregnant I read all the books and magazines but as all moms know, that doesn’t really prepare you for the years and years of surprises to come. For the most part, I believe that kids somehow find the moms that need them … and I was so very lucky to be blessed with a quiet, wise, easy going spirit in my daughter. As if she knew I needed all the help I could get in that department. Of course all parents have their challenges, but she’s never once given me an ounce of trouble. Worry, anxiety, pride and love, yes… trouble not so much. Of course most people tell me that that’s coming soon enough with the teenage years. Knowing how I was at that age, I’m sure they’re right … but let me be in a bit of denial until then, ok? I’m by no means a perfect parent, but my daughter is the type of kid that makes it look easy … and according to her, I’m the best mom in the world and I have to take her word as she is really the authority on these things. Of course she is also the one who says things like “you look pretty even without your makeup” and “you still look like a teenager” … so perhaps she is more skilled in flattery than I’d want to admit.

I admit I’m feeling a bit melancholy … 10 … just seems so amazing. A milestone. She’s certainly not a baby anymore and I would be lying if I said there weren’t days I wish she still were. But it’s hard to feel sad when I see what a really great kid she’s grown to be. She’s at that wonderful stage where she’s growing up in so many ways, yet she still is happy to be a little kid … playing with Barbies, fascinated with kittens and isn’t embarrassed to hug mom in public. At the same time, she’s a little powerhouse of knowledge … a fact machine whose interest in science, computers, animals, nature and gadgets just seems to grow every day. It’s also fitting that her birthday also happens to be Earth Day, as she’s somewhat of a little environmentalist … noting recent development that’s overtaken our area, she becomes annoyed and says “what about the squirrel habitat”. Sometimes I wonder if her love of science and animals will eventually take her down this career path … but then I should also mention that for several years now, her career goal has been to be a cashier at Target, which was a real hit during “Career Day” at school. I mean, who doesn’t want to wear a red shirt and khaki pants? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Whatever comes her way, I can only hope she approaches it with the same goofy humor, sensitivity, intelligence and uncanny wisdom that she’s always had.

So here I am … the mother of a ten-year old. My one and only baby. And I wouldn’t have it any other way …