today i dropped off my 4 year old at his bestest friend's house to play. since it is pouring rain i didn't feel like getting out of the car and walking him to the door as i usually do. he had his coat and his little lunch bag, his hair carefully arranged by him but looking like a haystack. sitting alone in the car, watching him purposefully climb out, close the car door, walk up to the house, i was pondering how quickly children grow independent. i'm so sentimental i almost cried. but then i did, a little, as he stopped just in front of the door, and looking back at me, waved vigorously with a proud face before knocking and joining his buddy. 

motherhood is so bittersweet.