And just like that, my daughter turned 8 years old.

Where did time go?

Wasn’t it just yesterday that she learned to ride her ‘Frozen’ bike all the way to the park down the road? The balding blue and silver tassels on the handlebars gliding against the rush of the current during the downhill ride as I try to keep up with her from behind, telling her to slow down.

Slow down, because she’s gaining a bit too much speed for my own comfort.

And now…

Slow down, because she’s growing up too fast, also for my own comfort.

It’s a fine balancing act.

She’s learning to steer her life.

I’m learning to let her be.

*Raven at 4 & 5 years old