Live Fully in 2012
I reminisced through our older pictures.
Hunter was a toddler, Lillian was just a baby. I didn't even know I'd be blessed with 2 more amazing people to care for.
As I clicked through them, I started to feel the most awful ache in my heart. As if it were in a vise, causing actual pressure, ready to burst through my throat and gush tears from my eyes. I LONG for those memories to be tangible again. To have them back in those precious moments. It all seems like such a blur now. Ahhhh. Time is an enemy of youth.
I love them dearly.
Why must they grow up?
Somehow, unless we pay real close attention, time escapes us.
The book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are is a life changer. Seriously. Though provoking, inspired words. If ever I could suggest a book to someone, it would be this one.
That's why I am joining the challenge to slow down time; to share time with myself and give myself 1000 gifts to preserve that which I love so dearly.
I will be writing down 3 blessings a day - things I am thankful for, things that strike a chord with me. They will be my doorway back in time when the tangibility of them has passed.
Join me in this GIFT TO YOURSELF. Value the small things. Treasure the things you THINK will last forever with you because they will fade.
Above all, give GLORY! Praise God for the Gifts He so graciously gives.
I cried the other night after watching a home video of Marshall when he was 2 months old! I hardly remember him being a baby! I know that "ache in your heart" feeling. I, too, try to live each day to the fullest; enjoying every moment with the boys. I love your idea of writing down your blessings. It's a reminder of what's truly important in life. I'll be reading! ;)
ReplyDeleteTalk about time getting away from you... This post has me remembering YOU - your first full-throated hearty laugh as we bounced you on the bed... Holding you out at arms length with one hand as you balanced and teetered... Peeking around the corner into your room and seeing you "reading" about Mother Cat and her kittens that were gone - even though you were reciting it word for word from memory...
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about time's passage that makes it possible for your little tiny girl to have four kids of her own that are creating these same types of memories for her? That is the way of things - the way of life - our kids grow up and live our lives for us, as they continue doing that which we have done. You are the mother your mother was, and her mother was, and her mother was... with your own set of memories and things the children say to file away in index files and share on blogs.
You are in good company - Luke 2:19 "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." So... I think you're doing quite well!
Dad! Way to make me cry!!! Thank you for your wonderful words, your everlasting influence and your steadfast example. You made my childhood so wonderful. I have precious stored memories that you made sure to slow for me. Thank you and Mom for your lived-out 1000 Gifts to me.
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