White Dresses.

There was a moment in the pool in my parent's neighborhood last week.

One of those moments that as a mother you just want to bottle up and keep forever.

Ab and I were swimming as my mom took care of Deak; priceless time for Ab and I.

I taught her the breast stroke and watched her swim laps in the deep end.

She was beaming.

A few minutes later as I was visiting with a neighbor, I felt Abby swim up behind me and wrap her arms and legs around my whole body.  She was light in the water, and it felt as if I could hold her for days.

She tucked her head into my shoulder and stayed.

I wanted her to stay forever.

But, I know she can't, and it causes my heart to ache in ways that are mostly good.

She is dressed in white and turning eight soon.

I've tried not to allow my mind to slip to the place that knows the next time she is in white, I will be giving her away.

She is smart and kind.

She is humble and hard-working and deserves every single good thing that comes her way.

She deserves them because she earns them.

She has her daddy's eyes and her mama's tenancy to over-analyze.

She is my whole heart and my first baby.

Something that cannot be changed by siblings, years or even wrinkles.

It is only hers.

She is my Abby.

How I was ever entrusted to be her mother, I'll never know.

I'm just eternally grateful for the chance to ride.