My four-year-old is on the verge of weaning. Maybe she already has. I'm not sure. She nursed yesterday. The time before that was four or five days ago.
A couple of days ago I suddenly realized that, sooner or later, I will breastfeed her for the very last time.
And I'm not going to know it when it happens.
Experience tells me it will be soon.
She is, of course, old enough to remember all this.
I resolved right then and there that for the rest of the nursing times we have, I won't wave her away, or grimace and say "Quit poking me," or try to read, or talk on the phone.
I'll say yes, I'll smile, I'll cuddle her close, I'll look her in the eyes, and I'll stroke her hair.
May she carry only memories of love and closeness with her into Big Girlhood.