Before we know it…they grow up

Having kids in a wide range of different ages is a wild ride, full of crazy challenges and incredable moments. It also shines a light on how fast life goes by.

My oldest is stepping into adulthood, buying his first car, and working his first job. While my youngest will be taking her first unassisted steps any day. (she’s so close) It doesn’t seem that long ago he was taking his first steps in the living-room of our first apartment, and I was the center of his world. Now he is shaving his face and building the foundations of a life of his own.

All of the mothers who came before us that stop us in the store to reminisce about the joys of motherhood and how fast it goes. They are not just seeing you in all your frazzled glory just trying to do your best with your precious children, but they are also seeing themselves and their children in your shoes. They are remembering all the beautiful things mothhood brings. That’s going to be us before we know it. The days may be slow, but somehow, after that first baby is a part of your life, life gets put on fast forward, and the years just tumble by.

I wasn’t much older than him when I became a mom. I’ve grown right alongside them. I love watching them grow and learn their way in this crazy world of ours. Each have their own unquine personality and love for life. I look forward to seeing what they accomplish in life. I know they are all beautiful souls who will bring love and light to the world around them in their own ways.

I still wish I could go back and visit them in those years when they were little. I would hold them tight and rock them to sleep one more time, cherishing those little arms wrapped snugly around my neck. Back when they ran to me with every little issue and a hug and kiss solved all problems.

Now they are growing up and the mommy magic hugs don’t solve all their problems, although still comforting. I will always be here with a hug, a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on to help them navigate life in anyway I can. They may be growing up but they will always be my babies.

As I’m sitting here writing this my oldest just walked out the door for work and my youngest is doing nursing somersaults in my lap. Every day, in the small moments, I’m reminded just how fast.

Folks, it really does fly by. I dread the day they aren’t walking in that door every day. When we go from sitting around the table every night talking about our days to the days of catching up over the phone and planning get-togethers.

But those days will come before we know it, and our table might not be full every night. But before we know it that table will be full of new faces we didn’t know we could love so much. We will get to support our children on their journey and rock their babies.

I’m not crying. Your crying. Who am I kidding! I’m balling my eyes out at the vision of that empty table. It’s heartbreaking to see each season of life come to an end. Never knowing when it will be the last time they want to be carried or tucked in. Before we know it each season passes and a new one begins. All we can do is cherish it while it’s here.

Mama, I’m here to tell you those next seasons, although different, are just as wonderful.