just like that

It's time.
I put the clothes on the porch. 
Someone is coming to pick them up. 
It's their first baby and they could really use them. 
And they've been sitting in a pile ready to go for a while. 
All her little outfits she's outgrown. 
They're just clothes, I don't know why it hurts. 
We've been excited for this stage for so long. 
No more holding on to them for the next one. 
Free up some space in the attic. 

I remember when her sister wore that onesie. 
And then her other sister. 
I loved that flower pattern. 
And I loved the turtle bum on those teeny tiny pants. 
And all the jammies. 
Pretty much all she wore. 
What's a baby got to get dressed up for anyway? 

Will they cherish them as much as I did? 
Will they know all the wiggles and snuggles they held? 
So much life lived in those little clothes. 
So much love felt. 

I go check the porch 
The bench is empty 
gone 
just like that 
on to the next baby 
I sit for a while on that bench. 
holding my growing baby 
a little closer