Six years ago, we walked into the hospital a duo and came out a trio.
Six years ago, everything changed. My heart, mind, and body were twisted and curved, expanded and transformed to take on new shapes, new roles, new perspectives. Our patience, willpower, and commitments have been tested and challenged, pulled and stretched, and like an elite athlete after training for a competition, we have emerged stronger, fitter, more confident because of it.
Six years ago, my heart cracked open, bringing with it a tiny little person – a person! – with all the tenderness, restlessness, and carefree confidence imaginable.
Six years ago, the sands of time accelerated, moving so quickly at times that I am left shuddering in terror that I might be swept away by the sheer force of it all.
If my pleas would allow me to press “pause” just for a few moments or replay certain moments during the past six years –moments of joyful bliss and even those moments of parenting failure that I would like to change – I would be down on my knees, praying to any and every god willing to listen.
But, of course, that is impossible.
Perhaps I can slow time down a little though. Maybe if am a little slower to anger and aggravation; quicker with hugs and forgiveness. If I issue fewer orders and admonishments; offer up more laughter and entertainment. If I lower expectations for achievement, success, and milestones; raise expectations for happiness, authenticity, and self-confidence.
Maybe then I can slow the quickly moving sands of time. And the next six years won’t speed by as quickly as the past six years have.
Linking up with Galit and Alison for Memories Captured.
18 Comments
Oh, Happy Birthday sweet boy!
He’s the mirror image of you, Christine.
Lovely, lovely post. Thank you for linking up with us.
Thank you, Alison. And thanks for hosting the link-up.
Awwww! What a sweet post. Made me teary, thinking of my own no longer little boy. Nothing can compare with the bond between a mother and son.
Happy birthday to your dear little one!
Thank you so much, Kathleen.
Lovely – It does go way too fast – a multicolor roller coaster ride with highs and lows, twists and turns with a soundtrack of mostly laughter. Happy birthday to you all!
k
A roller coaster ride for sure. So many ups and downs. Fortunately, the downs are usually easily forgotten.
Thanks for the flashbacks! I adore Jackson and feel blessed I’ve gotten to watch him grow alongside my own Sophia. By the way, Sophia alerted me to the fact that in 6 more years, she will be ALMOST a teenager. Now, where is that pause button???!!!
That just freaks me out! Nooooo!!!!
Ohmyheart, this is lovely.
I absolutely adore through-the-years posts, and the love and adoration (and honesty and real) in this one, are especially wonderful.
Happy 6th birthday to your sweet boy!
Thank you, Galit!
This is lovely. I love the pictures and seeing how he has grown. What a cutie! I hope you save this for him to read someday – he will love it!
Thank you! I’d love to compile a book of the posts about my kids. Hmmm…that gives me an idea…
Yay for 6! Happy Birthday!
Thank you! He had a great birthday. And the rest of us survived.
Sweetness!! Reading this made me realize they do grow fast. Maybe too fast..
Too fast for sure. What is that saying? The days are long, but the years are short. So, so true.
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