She's Off!

Mr. Tucker was so proud to be invited upstairs
but his tail stopped wagging the minute he entered
her room--Blaze was packing.



She wished she could take him along. Mr. Tucker the Camp Dog.
But the idea of stowing away didn't last long.

It seems unreal--you people with toddlers and tweens, listen up--
how can she be leaving already?

All those times I wished for a little piece of quiet
to have all for myself, to follow my own dreams...
and now the house is so, so empty and there's  
plenty of time and far too much quiet.
In a flood of emotions that seem to 
flash in my soul every childhood recollection,
both sweet days and hard,
I want to take back all those wishes.



Don't get me wrong--
we are so proud of her,
excited for her,
we want her to fly--
to soar!
But when that little red car with the light on top
disappeared over the hill
we sat on the porch and cried.
Who knew it would be so hard?



Mr. Tucker had to be persuaded to come out of the rain.
No, Blaze isn't coming home 
and there is no use waiting in the alley.

Letting Go,
     Zinnia Girl!