Ducklings in open water

My eldest left the safety of the nest, and happily paddled across the parking lot to her new proxy mother (Kindergarten Teacher) and her proxy siblings. She bit all of her nails down to the quick in the days preceding her departure. I wanted to say 'Dont do that, its ugly', but I didnt want her to feel ugly. I wanted to say "Stop it, its naughty disgusting behaviour", but I didnt want her to think she was naughty or disgusting. So instead I showed her how my grandfather Graham Ebden Long used to rest his fingers upon each other, and twiddle his thumbs. She now does this in the car, as we round the long slow loop of the car drop off lane. She smiles at me, pony tails bobbing, and I have never seen anything so beautiful. I love her anxiety and her excitement. I love how her whole world is new. I love her endless possibilities and her openness. But what I love most is knowing that at 1h45pm I will leave work to go and collect her and her sister and my arms will again be full.