Who knew growing up, that someday I would want time to slow down? Who knew that as an adult, with adult responsibilities, that time would seem to simply speed up? I had no clue, as an adult that I would have deadlines, and appointments to make, goals to meet and time consuming tasks that brought about no pay! I remember at 16, I wanted nothing more than to graduate high school, and be on my own. In my freshmen year of college, I wanted the classes to fly by so my boyfriend could pick me up out front. I wanted to sit on his porch laughing and joking with him and all his neighborhood friends, no worries, no fears, no deadlines, no rush. I am learning as an adult, time is more precious, fragile, direct and guided.
Fast forward to present and now my two daughters wish time flew by like I once did. Ahhh man, two weeks to Valentines’s Day? Ahhh man, three more months until summer break? Oh, the mind of a child! How I wish they would be my babies a little while longer. I often watch them as they submerge themselves in various tasks, and I have to fight back tears. For my oldest daughter, who is now 6, Pre-k graduation brought tears, kindergarten brought pure sobs and strange looks from other parents. Now, half way through first grade, reading me books, using my laptop, telling me jokes,showing me dances, and showering alone. Where did the time go? I can barely finish writing this blog thinking about all the milestones they have met and all the things yet to come. My three year old who was once too short to wash her own hands can now do this task alone. She dresses herself each morning, puts on her own coat, hat and shoes. She knows her colors, and shapes can identify nearly all the alphabet. She often looks up at me with pure joy, so proud of all she can do. “Look mommy, I did it by my own self!” I look at her and laugh becasue I still sometimes see the baby I just brought home, three short years ago. They don’t need me to do everything anymore, as now my oldest can help her little sister and together they achieve the things they used to call me for. Together it seems, they can do anything!
Sometimes it seems, I am an emotional mess! Does every parent feel this way at some point? I now understand what my parents always says ” Cherish it, because they grow up so fast.” So true. So, I have learned in my short adult life, time waits for no one. Slow down, breathe. I now
My girls!
smile more for no reason, hug more, kiss more and dance in circles with my girls a little longer before bed. Time will pass regardless, I now know it is what you do with it that matters the most.
Learner, Thinker, Writer: Joella Blossomgame serves Trinity School as Chef/Manager of the ChefAdvantage lunch program.
Joella, I raced through the reading of this post, identifying with every word. Days fly by, and I look at my daughter and wonder when did she get tall enough to fit in those jeans? Or how did she figure out how to do this thing or that. But there are some days, when the emotion of the growth and the pure love of being a mom pours out unexpectedly, and I am nothing but an emotional mess! Thank you for agreeing to write a post and doing it so beautifully.
Joella,
Thanks for your beautiful reflection on time. It is so tempting to live for the future or the next big event. You helped me to remember to slow down and savor the fleeting present!
First of all, those girls are adorable!
I completely related to your post. I, too, struggle with feelings of great pride at my sons’ accomplishments one minute, and complete and utter sadness that they aren’t babies anymore the next. I never thought about them trying to speed time to the next fun thing, but your point is so true. No matter what, I’ll be there with my camera, receiving plenty of odd looks from strangers!
Wow-can I relate! I remember when I was a first year teacher and I said in the teacher’s lounge, “I wish it was the weekend.” A veteran teacher (and older mom) said “Don’t ever wish your time away.” That really struck me because that was exactly what I was doing – wishing my time away. Life is too short to do that! Now as a mother of 2 teenage girls, I know EXACTLY how you are feeling. It goes by SO fast. (The days are long, but the years are short.) Cherish every messy, frustrating, glorious minute with your precious daughters!
I absolutely love how you ended your message! I was never a “touchy-feely” person prior to having kids. Now I can’t seem to get enough of hugging and kissing by two boys! And dancing in circles a little longer before bed, well, that’s something that my boys love to do. As I dance with them, I always have a moment where I stop, take a mental snapshot, and put it away in the most cherished part of my heart and memory. They sure do grow up fast, but just remember that their growth is a ode to you as a great parent.
Joella, thank you so much for this reminder! Its amazing how many life lessons our children teach us while we are supposedly teaching them. My oldest will be 10 in May and she is chomping at the bit to be in double digits. All I want to do is hold on to her and stop her from growing. Not sure how successful I will be – but I’m going to try.