Lily was having a hard time getting to sleep last night. I went in her room with her to hold her hand as she fell asleep.

"Mom? Why do big people get to stay up later than we do?"

"Well, honey, you are still growing and kids need more rest so that you can grow up to be big and strong. I am already all grown up."

Thoughtful silence. "Mom, I don't want you to grow old."

"Mi'ja, we are all going to grow old someday."

"I know, but you are going to be REALLY old when I get bigger. Your hair is going to be white like Great Grandma Keesecker."

Not as long as there is hair dye, I thought to myself.