We hang our toothbrushes above the bathroom sink and you can't reach yours, so you have always needed someone to help you get it when it's time to brush. A couple nights ago, however, you discovered that you are now tall enough to get your toothbrush on your own. You brushed yourself and later when I said we had to go brush, you said you'd already done it. I asked you how, since no one had helped you, and you informed me that you could reach your toothbrush now. On the one hand, I was happy that I no longer had to help you and on the other, I was of course sad about this latest you-are-growing-up-so-fast milestone.
This morning, as you brushed your teeth all by yourself before you left for school, I watched you from the bathroom doorway and marveled at how big you are. You are visibly taller and your face is becoming less "chubby toddler" and more "slim big kid." You are also turning 7 in a few weeks! After you finished brushing, we had some time before you had to leave, so we sat on your bed and cuddled. You sat on my lap facing me and we just hugged and snuggled while I savored the fact that I can still hold you like that.
And then two hours later, I got the most terrifying call of my life. My friend Michelle called and told me that the director at a school near yours had received a Remind message that said there was a gunman at your school and that he hadn't been caught. While I was on the phone with her, I told Daddy and he started to change so that he could go to your school but before he could even get his pants on, Michelle received a message from her friend, who has a child at your school. The friend had received the same Remind message and called the school but the school said it was false, there was no gunman and everyone was safe.
Your school later sent out an email about the incident and reiterated that the NYPD had confirmed that the report of a gunman had been false. I am so beyond grateful that it was a false alarm but baby girl, I have not been able to stop shaking or crying since I got Michelle's call. I have never been so scared. I went from marveling over how you are growing up to panicking that I would no longer get to see you grow up. Oh, my heart.
I love you so much, Kenziebear. I am so so so glad you are safe. I am not going to tell you about any of this when I see you after school today but I am going to give you an especially tight embrace.
Love,
Mom
