Take your time.

It was a beautiful day; ironically one that Susan had tried to avoid for a long time. As they walked along the sun-kissed fields they visited every week, this time was different.

The cool breeze reminded her that Fall was coming, and with the change of season, other things would certainly change, too. They looked for birds and laughed.

Emily loved taking walks with her Mom in the woods. She got to see all kinds of different animals and her mom always taught her something new. Pretty flowers, funny stories.

"Look, Em," called Susan, "That bird is making a nest."

Emily's eyes opened wide as she watched how nature takes care of itself. It was almost like magic to her and she soaked in every minute of it.

Susan did, too. But she wasn't watching the birds. She was watching her little girl grow up, a job she knew all along would end someday...but she now realized a part of it would end today.

It's not like she and Emily wouldn't take Mother-Daughter walks again. Of course they would. But things would be different.

Soon, there would be school buses and new friends. Sports and homework. Emily's life was about to change and there was nothing Susan could do about it.

Except on this walk.

For today, there was still time. The breeze was still blowing, still bringing in the fresh smells of the woods. And Susan was talking it all in...one last time.

"C'mon, Mom," Emily yelled, "Hurry up!"

"Slow down, honey," she said.

"Take your time."