Eighteen years have passed – so many memories of the little one

There was a time – I would pick her up from the babysitter after work –

I would be done at 2:30 PM.

Her parents both worked –

and she would come running to me and leap-

Her arms encircling my neck as I knelt down –

” PACA” she would shout !

( that is how she said PAPA )

There was the time –

she was in the back in her car seat –

I heard a “SOB”

and I looked in the mirror –

She made eye contact

and held up her little hand –

TEARS were streaming down her cheeks –

not making a sound !

She had twisted a hair tie around her little finger –

It had almost turned a deep blue – black !

I pulled off the road to the side

and got out – quickly – I got it off –

I rubbed her little finger –

it hurt her so bad .

” PACA – PACA – ” she kept saying.

TEARS and her nose was running –

I cleaned her up –

all the time rubbing her finger.

Then – the years passed –

they had moved to the other side of Winchester –

She was almost 11 years old –

so cute – so classy –

She was the student body president !

She was going to MIDDLE SCHOOL –

She had already played soccer for SEVEN YEARS !

She joined Track –

and ran the mile –

running a 5:48 –

The high school coach wanted her on the track team !

But “SOCCER ” –

it was at the same time – her love –

Soccer won out –

she was on the Travel Team – H.S. team –

and as a Sophomore –

she tried out and made the Loudoun County RED TEAM

Traveling 60 miles – three times a week – one way – to practice !

The time went by – track fell behind – soccer bloomed !

She has always loved MANATEE’S – so – at six teen – for her birthday –

We took a trip to Florida – and her mother and her flew down one way.

She went to Crystal River – Springs –

and there – her dream came true-

She SWAM WITH THE MANATEE’S !

Now – the DAY

has finally come -but first – AWARDS !

Ella helped her with her awards – she earned –

last day –

schools out for her

She is all grown up now –

she doesn’t remember the word “PACA”

But – I shall always remember her saying it.

I will remember the songs we sang-

The little voice from her car seat in the rear-

The hugs – the little arms around my neck-

Tonight – we watch her walk that final step of High School –

Tonight is the end of a time well spent –

Tonight – she will look not back –

Tonight she will look forward to a new beginning –

One – that she has already begun –

for she has a new schedule –

A new training schedule

which she already has started –

A training schedule for the UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBUG –

Her new team – ” THE HORNETS ” –

COLLEGE SOCCER – starts now.

Thank you for reading –

eighteen years – a little memory for me

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