I am Smaller

Not really a full introduction just yet, but I thought I would share the tale of my username.

For the longest time, I had a never-ending stream of weird nicknames for my daughter, who is now nearly 17 years old. For example, she was “backpack” for a while. I don't know why.

Then it worked its way to some form of “the small one”. That stuck for a couple of years I think, though it got shortened down to just “Small” at some point.

And then came the rather abrupt realization that she is at least 2 inches taller than I am. One day, she just looked at me straight on and said, “Fine, I may be Small but you are smaller”.

So I am smaller.

Yes, she does actually call me this:

Me: How are you doing today, Small?
Her: Bored but pretty good, Smaller.

On a more reflective note, it also kind of summarizes my role in her life a bit too. She's got one year of high school left and then she will be going off to college. I'll always be important to her as her mother, I know that. At the same time, my role is changing and starting to take second place to her own choices and independence. Feels a little weird, but it's the way it has to be.

So it's OK that I am smaller.