Ariel's off to college...

How does a person go from this....

To this... in a blink of an eye?

I have been having a hard time accepting that Ariel is leaving tomorrow. I have had a few "break downs" and she is not liking my "drama." She tries to explain it to me in simple terms. She says, "Mom, you just need to think of it as if I am going off to Hogwarts...that's it." She has left a daily reminder on the white board on the fridge for the past few days on how many days left until she leaves for "Hogwarts." She told me today when I was feeling a little down... "First, just think of Cheri (my sister) her daughter is going on a mission. She won't see her for a year and a half... Second, it's not very far away and you have a car to drive to visit me... Third, be thankful we have phones to call each other... Fourth, you have that new web cam now so we can see each other when we talk... Fifth, be glad you have the money to send me away to college... and Sixth, I will be back in three weeks for my birthday." So I felt a little better after her "pep" talk. I am thankful she is not actually going to Hogwarts, I've seen those movies and it is pretty dangerous there. One thing for sure is I cannot believe that she is really going. She is an amazing person with such a wonderful personality. She always makes me laugh. She is so caring and smart... She is going to do wonderful, but I will miss her fiercely! Have fun Ariel, and only remember the good things I taught you...