In the great beige house there was an abundance of toys and at least one mouse and a feral kitten and an unmatched mitten and a comb and a brush and cereal bowls full of mush and a very tired nanny whispering “hush.”

Goodbye house. Goodbye mouse. Goodbye bath times and stories with rhymes. Goodbye potty chairs and clothes left on the stairs. Goodbye overflowing litter box and goodbye mismatched socks. Goodbye dishes and goodbye birthday wishes. Goodbye masterpieces on paper and “see you later alligator.” Goodbye mess and afternoon rests. Goodbye laughter and tears, goodbye four years. Goodbye schedule ups and downs and goodbye outings all around town.

Goodbye nanny, goodbye hugs, goodbye to my three little bugs.