Composed Grief

Aren't they cute?!?

These are my little nieces - they live in Texas. I live in New York. Can you feel the distance grow in this picture? The last time I saw these amazing and hilarious little beauties was almost two years ago. How they've grown already! Maybe it's the fact that my big sister is pregnant, maybe it's that I am surrounded by cool little kids all day at work (being a children's librarian, and all), or maybe it's just that my maternal instincts have finally started to kick in, but I am seriously craving my family right now! Both my family (in Va, NY, and Canada) and my hubby's fam (in TX). I am usually so stoic, but this picture just puts me into purple puddles. It reminds me that I am totally missing out on my nieces growing up. It reminds me that they are becoming little people with little personalities and favorite colors. It reminds me of missed holidays and forgotten birthdays. Fears of "Will they even remember my name?!?" arise and make me question what I am doing way out here. Ever feel this way? I really miss you, girls!