Today Charis went to Parents’ Day Out at a nearby church that has quite an impressive early childhood center. She has been carrying around her back pack in the house since her older siblings started school in the fall, so she was quite thrilled to go to “school” of her own today.

I expected her to cry and give me her regular “drama” like she does when I take her to Sunday school. But when I was getting ready to leave, I said to her, “Bye Sweetie. I’m going to leave now. Have fun.” Then she said, “Will you come back for me?” I told her, “Of course I’ll come back to get you.” She started down the slide in the middle of the room, waved, and said, “Bye Mommy.”

I guess the next 15 years of my life will be one empty-nester experience after another.