Saturday, May 3, 2008

It.

It was time, I guess. Everyone was doing it. I'd said for years that I'd wait. I wanted it to be special...something worth remembering, and not just an afterthought that would haunt me for years. I mean, I had thought about it before. Who hasn't? Especially when it's all around...you can't turn on a television without being bombarded by it. Sometimes it's subtle. Then there are times when it's right in your face, bold as can be, and it's hard to look away.

While working up the nerve, I began asking myself the usual questions. Would it be as easy as it seems in the movies or on TV? What would it feel like? Would anyone be able to tell? Am I drawing unnecessary attention? What will my mother say when she finds out? Will I regret it after the fact? And the biggest one of all: What if I like it too much?

After careful consideration and weighing all the options, I decided to go for it. It had to happen eventually, and honestly, I just wanted to get it over with and move on. It was now or never. Swallowing my pride and squelching my fears, I decided it was finally time.

I let Libbey wear lipgloss for her dance pictures. For the past four years she's looked on as her girlfriends/fellow dance mates were gussied up by their well-meaning mothers. I was the lone holdout...the mean mom...the hardcore champion of the "they're just children!" mantra...the one protesting, "My child will not be wearing make-up, thank you very much!" I finally gave in and allowed her a little color for the pictures. Now, just for the record, Libbey wears lipstick/lipgloss all the time...at home, when we're playing dress-up, etc. But never for pictures and never out in public. She's SIX, people. Yet when I went to apply the gloss to her sweet little mouth, she said, in an exasperated tone, "Mommy, I can put it on better myself if you'll let me."

Sigh...my baby's growing up on me. First the lipgloss...then her driver's license. What? There's more in between? Oh, yeesh...I'm off to have a breakdown. Sigh...
(picture of Libbey & her best friend, Bronwen, taken 5/1/08)


10 comments:

Vicki said...

You teaser! I just knew you had gotten a tattoo!

Lula! said...

Vicki, I don't think I'd have the courage to blog about getting a tattoo...only because I'd be so afraid of my parents' wrath. Hello, I'm 33 and still afraid of what my parents would think. At least I can admit it. And I would love a tattoo...but I'm too wimpy to go through with it. I saw a friend (hey, Kelly--I'm outing you!) get hers and it looked painful. I always think of that whenever the tattoo lust hits...and then it passes prett quickly!

Unknown said...

kelly the tattooed lady....i have a full sleeve now. ha! nope, still just the ant-size infinity on my ankle. hardly worth all the fuss...not nearly as scandalous as lip-gloss in a picture at the tender age of 6 ;)

Pinky Roth said...

I had never thought of you not letting her wear lip gloss because she and I are always putting it on when I am getting ready at your house. She loves it and I do not see anything wrong w/lip gloss.

She looks so adorable in the picture w/Bronwyn. I have been scrapping Libbey at ages 4 now. I look back and can really see how much she has grown.

Mom

Michelle said...

You know, it's conversations like this that really make me happy that I have all BOYS! :) Sweet Libbey, she is growing up so fast! I have to say that she looks so pretty and like she's totally happy with her lip gloss!

Unknown said...

Yup! They grow up way to fast! I have decided the whole month of May will be a breakdown moment for me!

Unknown said...

Yup! They grow up way to fast! I have decided the whole month of May will be a breakdown moment for me!

Debbie said...

Ok, I thought you were going to say you got plastic surgery or botox or something. Then I was really gonna break up! But I am so in agreement with you on this one. They do grow up so fast. So sad isn't it. My daughter will be 8 in three weeks, and it's killing me. I just love your posts. You are so stinkin funny! It always makes my day to come here.

Hillari said...

Posts like this make me glad that I found you blog...cracks me up!! And Libbey is a beautiful little chicky by the way!!

Infarrantly Creative said...

I tell you...you oughtta freelance write. You are brilliant.