Time, it goes by so fast – enjoy her while she’s little.
That bit of advice came from a virtual stranger at my cousin’s high school graduation. I remember like it was yesterday. A new mom, I held my then three-week old baby in my arms. I knew it all and that comment just rolled off my back. Time did NOT go by fast in my world, kind stranger. It felt like it went by painstakingly SLOW. Each moment felt dragged on, but my youth and immaturity were to blame in how I viewed the world at the time.
Today, as I sit here writing this, it is my youngest daughter’s second birthday – January 14. My sweet Emmaleine Rose, whose birth we awaited with quiet anticipation and anxiety, as she was our first baby after three consecutive losses. She is number 7 to the world, and number 10 in our family, after Felicity Gertrude (Gertie), Michael Christopher, and Sarah Olivia.
Time – it does go by fast. In my head, I’m still the young mom, even though the mirror tells a cruel contradictory story. But you know what? I wouldn’t trade any of it. Time goes by entirely too fast. It reminds me of another common phrase heard among veteran parents:
the days are long, but the years are short.
Somewhere along the way, time just sped up with no regard for how I felt. Rude. As it stands now, I have an almost 23 year old daughter (who is closer in age to ME than she is to her youngest sister), followed by a 17 year old son who will soon be 18. Two adult children, and five more in the pipeline. The next one down the line will be 14 in less than three weeks, but my youngest keeps me grounded. She’s barely two. She reminds me to slow down, to appreciate the small things because she, too, will be 22 one day. And when that happens, I will be the one saying to my children of their babies:
Time, it goes by so fast – enjoy her while she’s little.
A Parent’s Prayer
Loving God,
You are the giver of all we possess,
the source of all of our blessings.
We thank and praise you.
Thank you for the gift of our children.
Help us to set boundaries for them,
and yet encourage them to explore.
Give us the strength and courage to treat
each day as a fresh start.
May our children come to know you, the one true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
May your Holy Spirit help them to grow
in faith, hope, and love,
so they may know peace, truth, and goodness.
May their ears hear your voice.
May their eyes see your presence in all things.
May their lips proclaim your word.
May their hearts be your dwelling place.
May their hands do works of charity.
May their feet walk in the way of Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord.
Amen.