As I was cleaning my computer, I stumbled across this post from over FOUR years ago. Ironically, it's about how quickly time passes. At that time, our oldest was almost a freshman in high school. Now, he's a freshman at TCU! I'm awe-struck at the speed of life. It's so true what "they" say (whoever "they" are), that the older you get the faster it goes. I feel like I'm cemented in a seat on King Da Kah - face blown back and all! The post has much value and relevancy for most of you, so I'm sharing again. Press pause, ladies. Hold each one, even if they have scruff, stare into their eyes, drink it in and give thanks to the One who is generous enough to gift us this depth of love.
August, 2014
This past weekend, my husband and I made a last-minute change in our Labor Day plans. We typically spend that holiday weekend at Woodloch (PA), but decided instead to take our kids to Upstate NY to the home in which Ron and I started out. This was the home our story as a married couple and first-time parents began. You can imagine the nostalgic appeal in returning and reminiscing. It was beautiful. We laughed, and cried. We stood silent, too. Remembering. How cliche to say “time flies.” But, it is so true. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, each day seems drawn out. You feel assured that tomorrow is just a carbon copy of today, without any marked change. The calendar, mirror, scale, diary, photos and growing kids debunk that notion right quick! When you return to a person, place or thing that resurrects your dusty memories, you gain perspective and realize just how much of life has already happened right under your nose! We set the car in park in front of the little green house, and I was overcome by beautiful memories of my sweet dog, Madison, an English Springer Spaniel. He was my “first baby”, if you will. I treasured him, needed him. Dogs are awesome companionship, one of God’s great blessings! As I strolled along the property’s edge and gazed at the house, I saw our newborn Nicholas clear as day in my mind’s eye, yet glanced over to see my now 5’4″ high-schooler strolling along the path with his dad. Just four years left until college. Please someone tell me how this can be?? If there is one huge takeaway from this trip it is to treasure each and every day as if it were your last, because some day it will be. The day when Nick heads out the door of our home for the last time is quickly approaching. Jack and Ava won’t be that far behind him. Once that day comes, just haul me off to some desolate island so I can have my breakdown in peace! Truly it feels like a month or two ago that I held my infant child, who had been up nursing and crying all night, willing the arms of the clock to move faster! “Surely it must be bedtime soon!” was a worn-out synapse for me. In reality, it’s been nearly seven years since that happened for the last time. What??? I needed every bit of those seven years to catch up on lost sleep, but now that I have, I want those days back! I want another chance to hold each of my babies as babies..adoring every nook and cranny with refreshed, rested eyes. I want to choose to play on the floor more instead of fold one more load of laundry or run the vacuum again. I want a do-over. Not in every respect. Just in the valuing of time, appreciating how precious it really is. God has much to say on appreciating all good things, including the gift of time. “For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:13-17) Psalm 90:12 beckons to God, “teach us to number our days.” Psalm 39:4-5 says “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!” Heed God’s wisdom. Take a good look around and see the goodness of God through the tapestry of your life.
I knew this trip would put me in a season-of-life tailspin, but only for a day or two. I won’t set up camp here. I’ll share with my few readers and move on, but know this…whatever season you are in, regret will eventually befall you should you choose not to savor it. The good, the bad, the pretty, and the ugly. Bask in it. Delight in it. Give thanks for it. Whatever your “it” is. Life is short. Love is awesome! Garner and give as much of it as you can before your Maker calls you home. Tick…tock.
Here’s one of my favorite songs to sum up all I’ve shared with you. Slow down and relish LIFE!
Slow Down - Nichole Nordeman