During the past few days, the sun finally came out from behind heavy clouds, we (hopefully) put the danger of a frost behind us, and I was "making hay." Not hay exactly - but planting my little garden and doing some weeding.
While I was planting, I was thinking. About growing pains, actually. My kids have grown up so quickly it
makes me a little sad. How can this phase of my life have come and gone so quickly? I looked forward to having children for so long - and now they are adults. Even though my son has one more year of high school, I know how quickly that senior year will fly by - and then my husband and I will become empty nesters.
makes me a little sad. How can this phase of my life have come and gone so quickly? I looked forward to having children for so long - and now they are adults. Even though my son has one more year of high school, I know how quickly that senior year will fly by - and then my husband and I will become empty nesters.
I've been feeling melancholy about all this for a bit. Really though, the ultimate goal of every parent is to raise their children to be as self-sufficient as possible. I am happy that we have done so. Instead of missing life as it was, I should be glad for all of the wonderful moments I've spent with our children as they have grown up. Birthdays are to be celebrated, not mourned.
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| It's funny how even photos that didn't seem that good at the time hold precious memories now! |
Just like it would be a wasteful for a farmer to squander a sunny day, it would be a shame to miss out on even a minute of the “now” because I am looking back.
Summers in Montana are short - I hope to take advantage of every sunny day. Life goes by quickly also. Rather than hold on to and long for every minute that has passed, I'm going to remember them all with joy. And my heart will continue to swell with pride and love for the remarkable young adults my children have become.
Change is always hard, but new stages in life can also be very good!
How does the proverb "Make hay while the sun shines" apply to your life right now?
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Hi Susan - it is amazing how quickly time flies and your babies become grown-ups. Mine are even further along the way and I get a quiet feeling of pride when I see how well they are doing (you will too). Enjoy your gardening in the sun - we're heading towards winter so I'm grabbing every bit of sunshine that comes my way!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your end to summer Leanne! And thanks for the encouraging words :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful tender post. I have always tried to be aware of this (my dad was a farmer) and now with grandkids, am enjoying every precious moment and memory
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a farmer as well, and my mom frequently used this expression!
DeleteIt's hard to get used to the fact that our kids grow up before our very eyes. The reward for this later is grandbabies! It's like starting all over again only without the work! Enjoy every second you can grab because it flies by! My babies are 26 and 23 it's hard to imagine! Don't let it get you down to much!
ReplyDeleteBefore our very eyes describes it perfectly Rena . . . but hold on to every moment with the grand babies too, they will also grow too quickly!
DeleteA while ago a friend reminded me (painfully) of the reason to live in the moment and be grateful. She went to visit her grandmother, who has dementia. She took her grandmother a box of chocolates. Grandma was thrilled. Three times in a half hour visit grandma discovered the chocolates and was thrilled all over again... My friend was sad - and then happy to think of all the joy, the repeated joy, her grandma was getting from that simple gift.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to watch these sorts of changes in a person you love. But, how nice that the gift brought your friend's grandmother so much happiness.
DeleteThank you for the touching post. With all the running I'm doing lately it seems I rarely stop and just think...but this post made me think. I need to make sure I cherish the moments with my little ones. This is what life is about. I find myself getting stressed out when they don't behave but, hey, they're just toddlers....they have so much to learn and have so much goodness and promise in their hearts. Thanks for making me take the time to stop and cherish my time. :) And, I wonder what new chapters of your life will open up as you become an empty nester? :)
ReplyDeleteCherish the moments, and find a way to record the memories! You think you will remember every precious thing your kids say and do, but it helps to write it down!
DeleteThis is such a touching post Susan. I'm in the exact same stage of life that you are. Even though I feel sorry for myself when I think about the boys leaving, I'm so proud of them and happy that they are spreading their wings. It's hard to believe there's only one year of school left!
ReplyDeleteWe will be good support for each other Lana! It will be fun to see all the amazing things our kids do!
DeleteGreat post. I was just thinking along these lines the other day. My oldest turns 14 at the end of this summer and I cannot believe how fast it all went! I am grateful for each stage and just like you, I am going to enjoy each of those stages of my life to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer. Enjoy the teen years - yes there are lots of ups and downs, but so very much to enjoy and experience with your kids as well!
DeleteAwesome post ! So many wise words!
ReplyDeleteHave a great, sunny weekend :)
Hugs,
Mila
Sorry to be so long responding to this comment Mila, but glad you liked the post. Let's hope for sunny weekends - and a sunny summer with just enough rain!
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