Treasure the Moments

Ever since I turned 16 and began my first real job working in a nursing home, I have been impacted by the repeated admonition to "savor each moment". So many precious, frail people, in the final years of life, have nothing to do but to look back on a lifetime of memories. And they would tell me over and over again, and in many different ways, "You have your whole life ahead of you. Don't take it for granted!"

Then I started into the crazy, hectic, delightful time of having babies and toddlers. And once again, a host of grandmas and older ladies urged me, "You are in the best years! Enjoy it to the fullest, the years go by SO quickly." In fact, one of my favorite quotes has become, "The days are long, but the years are short." And it's soooo true!! How in the world did I become a mother to a 10-year-old? And however does it happen that we are about to birth our 6th child?? The years really do rush by.

Another huge reminder this week was a book I cried my way through; Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman. She lost her little 5-yr.-old in an instant. And all she had left to savor was those memories. The last stories they read. Helping her with the Barbie-doll's gloves. The night-time snuggles after bathtime. Those things are way too easy for me as a busy mom to rush through!! Quick, scrub the little bodies, dry off, night-night, love you, kisses, lights out! I'm too exhausted to sit there and brush out curls or read another story or hear their ideas of how it would be if the moon was close enough to jump to or just snuggle beside them for a few extra minutes, breathing in the fresh scents of baby soap and lotion. And yet, that is exactly where the savoring and treasuring and cherishing comes in. If I miss those moments now, I can never get them back.

And then, as if God was trying to drive a point home, I stumbled across a {country!} song on the radio as I flipped through stations in our {new-to-us} van. The words are the typical, red-neck country style lyrics, and yet, it's the same clear message,               "You're Gonna Miss This"

She was staring out the window of that SUV

Complaining, saying “I can’t wait to turn 18″

She said “I’ll make my own money, and I’ll make my own rules”

Momma put the car in park out there in front of the school

Then she kissed her head and said “I was just like you”

You’re gonna miss this

You’re gonna want this back

You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you’re gonna miss this

Before she knows it she’s a brand new bride

In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by

He tells her “It’s a nice place”

She says “It’ll do for now”

Starts talking about babies and buying a house

Daddy shakes his head and says “Baby, just slow down”

Cause you’re gonna miss this

You’re gonna want this back

You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you’re gonna miss this

Five years later there’s a plumber workin’ on the water heater

Dog’s barkin’, phone’s ringin’

One kid’s cryin’, one kid’s screamin’

She keeps apologizin’

He says they don’t bother me.

I’ve got 2 babies of my own.

One’s 36, one’s 23.

Huh, it’s hard to believe, but …

You’re gonna miss this

You’re gonna want this back

You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you’re gonna miss this

You’re Gonna Miss This – Lyrics TRACE ADKINS

So, as I buckle into another round of school, count down the last 7 weeks until baby-day, cook unbelievable amounts of food for hungry, growing boys {my 20-month old ate 2 huge meatballs last night!}, clean cluttery bedrooms, and do untold laundry loads of jeans and skirts and pajamas, I will choose to cherish the moments. I will look into little brown, blue, and hazel eyes and smile. I will treasure the little kicks and wiggles while ignoring my aching back and swollen feet. I will give extra hugs and kisses, and remember that I hold this moment in my hand, and before it slips through my fingers like sand, I will make it into a memory. And one day when I am old a gray, I will look back with fondness and say, "Those were the best years, and I wouldn't do one thing differently."