Goodbye, Old Friend

Right from the beginning.

When neither Daddy nor I could soothe you, it was there.

It helped you fall asleep; comforted you when you were hurt.

Just like an old friend.

When you began to talk, you realized that we could understand you much better without its' presence. So you'd pull it out, hold it close by, and pop it back in place when you were done talking.

As you've grown up, you've needed it's comfort less and less...

you became so busy with being a little boy -- playing with your sister, jumping off couches, building towers and racing cars -- that it often got left behind.

But when you got hurt, or began getting sleepy, it was the first thing you asked for.

Now you are three. You are growing up. And along with growing up comes some tough stuff... learning to fall asleep on your own; learning how to comfort yourself in other ways.

Saying goodbye to an old friend.

It's never easy.