“Mommy, I had a scary dream. Can you sleep with me?”
It’s 5:30 AM, and my eyelids feel like lead as I crawl into your bed, wrapping my arms around you. You’re still dressed in your Spider-Man costume from last night, the same one you’ve insisted on wearing since Halloween, which was just a week ago.
In your bright, web-patterned outfit, you transform into a brave defender against imaginary foes, but when nightmares creep in, you call for Mommy as backup. And here I am, ready to banish those fears away. After all, you’ll be turning 5 in just a few days, and the moments of needing me for comfort are slipping away.
Five is approaching us like a speeding train, and I know that once it arrives, we’ll need to step aboard and bid farewell to this fleeting phase of “four.” For you, the anticipation is palpable. “I want to be six already,” you exclaim, a hint of impatience in your voice.
I get it; being the youngest in your class and family can feel daunting. “Don’t rush it,” I respond. “Five is something special. You’ll see.”
Even now, as you teeter on the edge of this new milestone, I can see you growing, just a bit. “B is for baby,” you proudly announce after kindergarten. “C is for cat!” Each day brings fresh discoveries. Your backpack is bursting with sheets of numbers you’ve counted, dinosaurs you’ve colored, and letters you’ve worked on. Each evening, as I read to you, you gaze at the pages with wonder. You’ve realized that soon you’ll be able to read these stories yourself. Suddenly, everything feels possible.
You hop on your bicycle and shout for Daddy to steady you as you pedal. He runs behind, and your laughter fills the air as you speed down the hill, joy radiating from you. At the bottom, you leap off and declare, “I’m ready to go home.” “Are you sure you don’t want to ride again?” Daddy inquires. “Yeah, I do!” you reply with glee, and off you go again. Five isn’t a straight path. It’s a mix of starts and stops, courage and hesitation. It’s a blend of adventure and retreat, all happening in one exhilarating ride.
Five means cooking eggs and making a delightful mess but managing to get just enough in the pan to feel victorious.
Five is bickering with your sister because she can do things you can’t yet, followed by cozying up next to her as she reads you her favorite books — even those dinosaur tales she’s long outgrown.
Five means finally mastering your jigsaw puzzles, even if you have to accept that some pieces are lost from earlier days when you were less careful.
Five is choosing doughnuts for your birthday dinner and feeling proud of that decision.
Five is wanting to take down the superhero poster from last year’s birthday party but leaving it up because you know it makes Daddy smile.
Five is asking Mommy for “16 hugs and 16 kisses” before sleep, only to wipe away the kisses with a giggle.
Five is going to bed dressed as a superhero and waking up calling for Mommy.
So as I cradle you in my arms, listening to your rhythmic breathing as you drift back into slumber, I find myself getting comfortable with the idea of five. In fact, I might even welcome it. When that five train pulls into the station, I’ll make a promise to myself: I won’t look back but instead focus on all the wonderful experiences that lie ahead. After all, how could any age be bad when it begins with doughnuts for dinner?
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In summary, embracing the transition to five is a beautiful journey filled with laughter, discovery, and new adventures. It signifies growth, learning, and the joys of parenthood, all while cherishing the fleeting moments of childhood.