Saying Goodbye

A memory lasts forever, never does it die. 

True friends stay together, never say goodbye.

~unknown

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As I type tonight, I find it hard to believe that my baby is over 18 months old.  I know the time flies but every day I seem reminded how quickly it does pass.  

Tomorrow is Malea's final day at the daycare she has attended since she was 10 weeks old.  I will forever be thankful for the Christmas Eve we took a call from a kind woman named Stephanie, who told us a sudden opening had come up at the daycare of our choice.  With one quick visit on that cold day, we knew this was the right place for our baby.  And, we had no idea how lucky we really would be as only 3 days after she started daycare, the original place we had booked her suddenly closed.  It truly was fate.  

I remember how hard it was to leave Malea that first day.  It's always hard to do that.  I didn't cry nearly as much as I did with Maddie.  Perhaps I was better prepared.  But Malea is our laid back, easy-going kid, and we'll always remember the peace sign she gave us in that ultrasound.  She truly was telling us, hey, it's always going to be OK. 

As we progressed in this daycare, we grew to love the people that helped develop our child.  She was growing by leaps and bounds and was soaking everything up like a human sponge.  I will forever be grateful to every single person who changed diapers, fed bottles, wiped away tears, rocked and hugged, and read her favorite books when I could not.  As a working mom, I cherish knowing how well taken care of my baby is when I had to go to work.  Heck, some days you might have even done a better job than me. 

I can't remember a time when Malea was not happy to come to daycare.  There was no clinging to my leg.  No crying.  Very rarely even a wave goodbye.  It made my day go so much better knowing how happy she was.  Again, what a relief for a working mom!  I'm not sure I can put into words nor list every single person who has nurtured her and helped her grow while at this daycare.  All I really can say is, thank you.  Making the decision to change daycares was a tough one, but I also feel very lucky that we have such great options in our community. 

I believe that everything in life happens for a reason.  Our travel plans had changed that Christmas eve day, leaving us in Ames to be able to take that call.  Malea was meant to move from infant to toddler to slightly precocious child at this very daycare.  She was destined to cross paths with a teacher who shared her name.  She was meant to be rocked and held by wonderful people who showed her nothing but compassion and love.  She was blessed to grow with other children who share the same zest for life.  What a truly lucky little girl she is! 

While saying goodbye is never easy, it's sometimes harder when you realize you are saying it to those who have left their mark on your child's heart.  Malea is so very lucky to have crossed paths with each and every one of you and so are we.  We will forever be grateful for you! 

This photo, we feel, best captures our spunky Malea - head thrown back, huge smile on her face, living every day with happiness.  Thank you for leaving your mark on each child you cross paths with each day.  It makes our jobs as parents a little bit easier. 

Now, good luck to the ACPC'ers who get to experience our Malea!  She's truly one-of-a-kind!