Dear Scarlet

Dear Scarlet, 
It’s been a year since you’ve gotten rid of your bink. I remember how everybody kept telling us you were too old for it, but I couldn’t get you to nap without it. I didn’t want to take it from you when you were struggling so much with your dad being gone. I couldn’t bring myself to pull away your only other sense of security. Everybody said it would mess up your teeth, that you were 3 now and it just wasn’t right. It’s probably one of the only parenting choices I got a lot of shit for. (Don’t say shit.) But, I wanted to do it on your time. I couldn’t bring myself to take it away from you, and I’m not even really sure I regret that now. A year ago we went to Chicago with Carlee and Elisabeth. We took you to Build-A-Bear and let you pick out whatever animal you wanted and told you to put the very last bink inside. You picked a dog and named him Nameo. “Like Bingo was his Name-oh, Mom!” Up until that point you had Woody, you guys were inseparable. But, as soon as that bink went in Nameo has been your #1 guy. You guys have been through a lot together. You’ve moved 10 hours away from the rest of your family, spent nights alone while your dad was still gone, defeated alligators, trips to the park, and so much more. We can’t leave the house without him. I remember when you were still in my belly and I’d wonder about your favorite things. I’d think about the books you’d favor and the toys you couldn’t live without. I’m glad you have Nameo, and I hope he doesn’t lose his magic for a long long time.