I always find that I spend time in deep reflection on the eve of my children’s birthdays. It is a little painful to realize how quickly they are growing. It is when I
become acutely aware of the passage of time, a lot like when the leaves fall from the trees and I say good-bye to a summer that will never be seen again.
William’s third birthday came and went a week and a half ago. He could remember Myra and Melanie’s birthdays and was delighted to know that the balloons were in celebration of his birthday. We sang “Happy Birthday” to him and he beamed. What a special three years it has been!
It is at times like this that I realize that this is, and will be, the pinnacle of my life. It is when I realize that the days, the weeks, the years, are slipping past like the sand in an hour glass. For the rest of my time here I will look back on these crazy, busy, wonderful years with a smile in my eyes and an ache in my heart.
I am very privileged to have several dear friends whose children are grown. They have so much wisdom to share with me, but perhaps the thing that they most want me to know is that these years when I am surrounded by my little ones are short, so very short. Their message to me is to enjoy this time, and yet I often forget, and the realization that the time is passing quickly sneaks up on me and surprises me every time!
I have found that the best way to really enjoy my children is to be play with them. I don’t know why, but I find taking the time to play with my children is very hard to do. It feels like I’m not accomplishing anything, but in reality it is connecting the hearts of my children to mine and that is one of my most important tasks here on earth.
So here’s to a summer of tickling my baby, playing tag, building castles out of cushions and sheets and splashing in the water. I want to look back on this summer and know that we played together, that we laughed together, that we had fun together. 🙂
Simply beautiful! XO, ;0)
I love it! I adore that your last paragraph mentioned nothing of sitting together in front of video games 🙂
Well said, from a mother of six who is enjoying her empty nest but grieving the loss of the way things used to be!:)
I was reviewing comments on some of my blog posts and noticed you had commented there a few times (some time ago). I thought I would jump over here and see what you were up to.
I love your heart for your children. This post brought tears to my eyes. I have dealt with so much tragedy and trauma during my homeschooling journey (I’m in my 23rd year of homeschooling) and even now I am going through a life-change that is so horrible, yet so necessary. It is so easy to get caught up in the moment and the trials that we go through. I remember an aunt of mine saying that when her kids were young (she had 5) that the days were so long, yet when they got older the years were like a blink.
And it’s so true. I have three grown children and a 10-year old. All of my sons still live at home (my 10-year old, of course, but my 18-year old and 24-year old as well). Some days they drive me crazy. Living in a houseful of boys can be a challenge! But I so love them and there are times my heart just squeezes with pain, I love them that much.
The Lord has also shown me recently that I need to play more with my kids. To just STOP and do something fun with them, especially the little one. There is something about play that is powerful, even if we don’t completely understand it. Sometimes my little guy and I will just play a few games of “go fish.” It’s not what we do that matters so much, just that we do it.
Keep loving your kids the way you do. It will pay off, believe me.