When “Rissa May Stay With Me, Daddy” Breaks Your Heart (and Fills It)
She squirmed down, patted my knee with the condescension only a preschooler can muster, and walked back to her castle. Without looking up, she said it: rissa may stay with me, daddy
There’s a phrase I never expected to lodge itself so firmly in my chest. When “Rissa May Stay With Me, Daddy” Breaks
At first, my ego stung. Does she not want the ice cream? Does she not want me*?* Does she not want the ice cream
It happened on a Tuesday. No rain. No dramatic music. Just the hum of the dishwasher and the click of the front door latch as I got home from work. My daughter, Rissa (age 4, going on 17), was sitting on the living room rug, building a castle out of magnatiles.
They’re not leaving you behind. They’re just finally comfortable enough to sit with who they are—and that’s a gift you gave them.
Not “with you.” Not “with Mama.”