Little Forever

My boys are 3 and almost 2. Lots of folks would say "they are so young" and "they're just getting started" and things like that. And for the most part, yes, I would agree with them. When I think of the long and full life I hope they each get to experience, yes, this is the beginning and so much lies ahead. But, then there are moments. Those moments that make your heart swell and you wish things would remain as they are. Playing tickle monster, building a snowman, reading the favorite stories over and over. Or just cuddling them in the silence of the evening, breathing in the smell of their freshly washed hair. Hanging their tiny clothes out on the line to blow dry in the Spring breeze. The expressions of pure delight and amusement as they discover a 'new' creeping crawling thing and joyously show you in their grubby, little dimpled hands, smiling ear to ear.
     When I think of how much they have grown since they were born, it seems as though it has been at a dizzying pace. If you've read much on my blog, you probably have heard me talk a little about my thoughts of "time".
     I find "father time" a rather rude character. He just keeps on racing by, completely ignoring the fact that you don't want to travel at such a pace. He flits on through, dragging you with him whether you want him to, or not. He changes everything, nothing remains as it once was. One moment you are making boats out of bark, sticks and leaves after a big Summer rain and sailing them across large puddles. The next moment, you are standing in front of the mirror, the child inside of you staring back at a stranger. You wonder how you could have changed so much, because sometimes you still feel like that carefree child, playing after the rain.

If you have children, hold on to those moments. Drink them up like Summer sunshine. Really look at your child, listen to them. Hold them, play with them, talk to them. Never forget what it was like to be a child, and seek to make precious memories for your children to remember, simply by being present in their lives. And for heaven's sake, put down the stupid electronics. I am not anti-technology, but if our use of it started to become addictive, leaving life to go by with empty days and empty hearts, it would go. We have, and I have, taken internet breaks in the past, and will do so whenever necessary to come back to this fleeting thing called life, and partake of it mind,body and soul.
     We were having supper at my parent's house this past Sunday. My mother and husband were trying to get little Jack to eat his spaghetti. "So you will get big" they said. Jack replied: "I don't want to get big, I want to be little forever." Even though I knew he said that because he didn't want to eat, but to be excused from the table, I couldn't help but feel a lump in my throat and my eyes tear up. And on the night before his third birthday I said "you are going to be three tomorrow!" Jack said "I don't want to be three, I want to be two."

Well, Jack, I wish you could be little forever too. 💙