Childhood Passes

Today, I took my son to his swimming lessons, and unlike most times, he joyfully skipped over to his teacher and jumped into the pool. (He loves to swim, but swimming "lessons" have been a little terrifying for him.) So, immediately I was relieved that it would be a good day at swimming.

As I sat there watching my son with his teacher, having fun, splashing, laughing, learning, and then looking down at my little baby and my daughter sitting beside me, I thought, "Where has the time gone?" I couldn't believe that that was MY son, and I was the parent who was observing. Observing with MORE children!!! Then, I had another thought. "He's growing up and next year he'll be in school for most of the day." That thought lead to, "I will miss being the one he laughs with, and plays with, and learns from the entire day. I want to be there still. I want to see his eyes and his smile when he discovers new things. I want to be the one."

I vowed right then that I would slow down and really enjoy my son, and all of my children. They go to school all too quick, and sadly, I think I've probably missed many "mommy moments" because I just had to finish the dishes, or I had to put another load of wash in or I was just plain tired to play. It made me sad. In fact, I was near tears at swimming lessons, and I had to stop thinking because I didn't want to cause a stir with the other parents.

What do we miss out on because we are too busy? Or because we're not listening? Have you ever noticed how small a child's voice is? If you're not careful, you can easily miss what they want to tell you or what they want to ask of you. What have I missed? I pray that I haven't missed too much.

Tonight, I took the time to go in to my children's rooms and kiss them one by one and watch them sleep for a few minutes. I wanted to remember how they looked this young, how they sounded, how they curl up in sleep, how they snore so quietly....It was my way of trying to stop the clock, to try and savor the precious mommy moments I have if only I look for them.