I've been reflecting today on how quickly time seems to tick by. We're in mid-March, approaching graduation time...a new milestone in my family. Both Tammi and I have seniors graduating this year, her second child, my firstborn. While most days I ignore the impending day and all the change it will bring to my family, for some reason today it is sitting at the forefront of my mind. As a parent, I've known this day would come...known it would come with both joy and an amount of sorrow. As a single parent, I think it comes with much more intensity of emotions than I anticipated. The 4 of us have rallied and charged through many years together, and become a family in every sense of the word. Graduation doesn't change the family we've become...but it changes the dynamic of the home and the feeling that all is not quite complete when that one is missing. There is great joy and pride in watching my son become a man...I find myself doing a double-take....just checking to make sure that really is my little guy in that big body! The moments where life seemed like chaos have turned this little boy into a young man of strong character who longs to follow after the heart of God. Amid the coming changes in both of us, what a joy to watch him discover who he is and who he is striving to become. (As I type, Tim Hughes is singing "Everything" in the background...the perfect backdrop... my hope for the cry of each of my children's hearts...)
When my kids were little, there were days I never knew it was possible to love someone so much and at the same time want to run away from them. And, now that they are on the skirts of young adulthood, I wonder where all of those years have gone...and at what moment did I turn my head away only to find when I looked back they were half grown? I wished away some of those hard days...wished I didn't have to change another dirty diaper or pace all night with a sick child. I forgot to take notice of the "last time" for so many things. I don't remember the last night my daughter slept with Bitty-baby...I just know that she doesn't anymore. I don't remember the day my kids changed my name from "Mommy" to "Mom". And I can't remember when I stopped cutting everyone else's meat before digging into my own....I just know that no one asks me to do it anymore!
Whew!!! I'm not sure how to seque from THAT to the pictures below...
give me a minute to wipe away my tears and I'll give it a shot....
My original intent was to post some SALE pictures...but my thoughts got the best of me, and you got the honest growing pains of a mom's heart! What I was GOING to say about the pictures above is that I wish I had had something similar when my kids were little. I did Baby Books for each of them, but wasn't as faithful with the youngest as I was with the oldest (which she recently reminded me of!) These little dressers are called "Baby's Firsts"--they come with a little tree and drawers filled with ornaments. Each new milestone has an ornament that you hang on the tree...a reminder that your baby is growing. The boxes are a creative way of trying to put a marker on all of your child's "firsts"....maybe it should include some ornaments for the "lasts" too! If your kids are still young, or you know a new mom, these boxes are great
...and they're 30% off!!
Our diaper bags are 30% off right now, too. I remember the day I bought my first diaper bag at the GAP. It was SO huge I could use it today to pack for a weekend...and it was not nearly as cute as these! Style has come a LONG way in the last 18 years!
Speaking of that weekend away, our cosmetic bags are also 30% off and many have matching totes! I know the economy might be keeping us from doing a lot of travelling these days, but something about a pretty new bag makes even the shortest trip feel like we're a world away!
I was just thinking I should ask all of our readers to post your comments about your own children growing up, but I'm not sure my heart could handle it today! My son just texted me a moment ago and just seeing his name made me blubber all over again!
I seriously must get a grip!
4 comments:
ok, pregnant, hormonal woman here weeping at the computer while the little boys are fighting over the empty orange juice box. yes, i too find myself wishing the exhausting, hard days away and yet, when i read posts like the above, i am overcome with gratefulness for the NOW! Looking forward to stopping by soon with some $ in my pocket!
My mother's heart ached and rejoiced with you, as I read this blog post. You do seem too young to me, to have a son graduating from high school, but it does happen. Having gone through three graduations, I can tell you, there will be more tears, and more joys. It is all part of God's gift to us. Beautiful post, and very well written.
Oh boy, don't get me started too. My son is graduating too.
I will be a puddle and everyone in the family is expecting it.
Thanks for this...so true, all of it. You are a precious person, Terri and a wonderful mom! Love you my friend! Maria
Post a Comment