Don't Take My Baby!

The other day I was outside enjoying the spring weather we've been eagerly anticipating here in the Arctic Circle (or Iowa as some like to call it). The sun was shining and more importantly, the children were outside enjoying the freedom the warmer weather brings. The neighbors were all out on walks so I hardly noticed #3 as she pushed her bicycle up the driveway.

"Hey, Mom."

"Oh, hi, baby."

"The chain keeps falling off my bike. Colin said he has another bike I can borrow."

"Oh, that's nice of him. Have fun."

Then it happens. Then I see something so profoundly terrifying - it's all I can do not to shout out, "NOOOOO!! DON'T TAKE MY BABY!!" and run down the street after her.

My third daughter, climbs up on the back pegs of Colin's bike, hands on his shoulders, glances back and says, "See ya' later, Mom."

Be still my heart! All I see is (fast forward 7 years), that same fragile child that I nearly gave my life for, climbing on back of one of these...

..and with that same nonchalant glance back, she wraps her arms around the boy, a much taller boy, snuggling up close, and they drive off into the night.

She'll understand that her mother can't take this, right? She'll wear a helmet, yes? She'll NEVER be one of those girls I saw on the internet while searching for a picture of that bike, right?! Oh, my good stars! I can't breathe! Honey, quick, fix the chain on that girl's bike!