Downhill

Our new house is pretty close to the library, so the girls usually right their bikes there. Yesterday we had some very late DVDs (not like this library cares--they never make me pay my fines *and* they let me drink coffee in the library; what's not to like?? The Chicago Public Library is so strict they won't let you check out books if you owe them five cents), so Sadie rode her bike to the library, which is at the top of a smallish hill.

On the way home from the library, the big deal for the girls is to ride their bikes down this hill. So yesterday, Sadie is poised at the top, and I had my hand on the handlebars to try to help her a bit. This hill, which isn't huge, is still a disaster waiting to happen someday as the girls pick up quite a bit of speed on the descent and Sadie isn't really all that skilled with the whole braking thing. But, of course, Sadie didn't want my help. So I stood at the top of the hill and just watched as she sailed down, thinking, What an apt metaphor for parenting--the whole watching and waiting and just hoping they don't end up falling. Of course, Sadie was fine, but sometimes it's hard to let go.