Blue Binky

It's been her close companion for three years. Her constant comfort for bedtime and beyond.

There was none other for her. It had to be Blue Binky. On the occasion it was unaccounted for and had to be temporarily replaced by Pink or White Binky, the sadness was near overwhelming and the loss great. Just as great though, was the rejoicing and gladness when Blue Binky was found and the substitute flung from her mouth with obvious rejection.

The whole family was keenly aware of Cutie Pie's devotion to Blue Binky.

She turned three just a week after we moved, causing My Sweetie and I to favor the side of familiarity. The holidays distracted us and then we found ourselves facing another move and time of change with the family. Again, comfort won out for our daughter (It sure helped that it caused her to fall asleep the instant Blue Binky hit her mouth, I admit.). Our youngest little girl.

But the clock was ticking and it wasn't on Blue Binky's side.

The inevitable occurred recently. Blue Binky could not be found and I declared Cutie Pie's maturity and independence. She agreed with me (I thought) whole-heartedly shouting goodbye to Blue Binky, then announced with a grin, "Daddy will find it when we get home!" and rolled over to sleep. She slept soundly even in Blue Binky's absence, confident that Daddy would return it to her before long.

Cutie Pie clearly didn't understand parenting schemes because Blue Binky never reappeared. And she was sleeping without it (granted, it took longer to fall asleep) every nap and night. She hardly missed it. Rarely even mentioned it.

Until two days ago. That dastardly Blue Binky was hiding under The Boy's bed (you can never have just one, ya know) and beckoned Cutie Pie while she was playing with Wee Babe.

The best part of that moment was that she was super excited, but also smart enough to know that the need had passed. That she had moved on. That a new season had begun. She immediately knew that she needed to convince me that Daddy said, "Sometimes it's still OK for Blue Binky." I assured her that he didn't and that it wasn't.

There were tears, but not many.

I was proud of her and still am.

Bye-bye, Blue Binky! You served us well.