it was dusk, and the sky was a beautiful deep purple as the sun set. we were walking down the driveway, into the sunset. it was still unseasonably warm, and i was quite content walking in silence, but often, with little children this becomes awkward, so i began to talk to her.

we talked about school, and the other after school activities she did, other than horseback riding. she wanted to start gymnastics she told me, because her friend jesse does.

i asked her if she was excited that the spring was coming, she looked at me and smiled, exclaiming, "Oh yes, that means my birthday is almost here."

"when is your birthday?" i ask her

"september, september 28th." she replies. "i am going to be 5 years old."

apparently spring is almost the same thing as fall when you are four, but nevertheless her cute little grin, and squeaky excited four year old voice made me smile.

"five years old," i say, "that's pretty old, you will be going to kindergarten soon, that's exciting."

"five is ok, but i can't wait until i am 11." she says with earnest.

"11, eleven is a ways off my dear, why is it you want to be 11?" i ask, truly curious.

"because that's how old Stephy is, and i want to be just like Stephy." she replies.

"who is Stephy?" i ask.

"My big sister. I want to be just like her when i grow up." julia tells me with a smile.

i look up at her, on that big horse, sitting there with a proud grin on her face, thinking just how exciting it would be to turn 11, to turn 11 and be just like her big sister stephy. it makes me smile, because of course, when she does turn 11 in another 7 years, her sister will be 18. and most likely she will no longer wish that she is 11, but that she is 18, just like her older sister stephy.

i do hope that stephy knows just how lucky she is to have such a cute and sweet little sister, and i hope that she sets a good example for her.

4 going on 11. as i thought about this, i was glad for the setting sun, for her grin brought a tear to my eye, a tear that i did not want little julia to see, for fear it would upset her if she thought she caused it.

4 going on 11, a small child with a big dream...