I'm Gonna Miss It

Eldest has always had this thing about lip balm. She can't stand it. She can't stand to put it on, and can't stand the feel of it on her lips. So, a few years ago I figured out that whenever her lips were chapped I could just wait until she fell asleep that night, sneak in her room, and smooth some on while she slept. She's a light sleeper, so this takes great skill from Mama.

For years she never knew about my little trick. She'd just wake up the next morning and say, "Wow. My lips feel much better this morning." 

I'd reply, "Good, dear," and smile to myself.

A while back, I let her in on my little secret. She thought it was hilarious that I would sneak around in the dark like that for her for all those years, just to fix her dry lips.

Now, when her lips feel chapped she'll ask, "Mom, will you fix my chapped lips tonight after I go to sleep?"

"Sure, honey. I'll be glad to." So, when she falls asleep I, once again, stumble over the jumble of dolls and sports gear and books to get to her bed in the dark and smooth on some balm.

I guess one day she'll make herself put on her own lip balm, and then she won't need to ask me to do it anymore. And I'm gonna miss it.