Today

Recently, I stood in line at the post office fighting back tears. (You might think that this not such an abnormal thing considering how long you often have to wait in line.) However, I was fighting back tears because as I watched a toddler and her mother in front of me, I was struck with the realization that my days of little hands reaching up for me and little giggles as I nuzzled a neck were over. For more than a decade I have had a little one tagging along. A little one who asked questions, clung to my leg, chattered unceasingly, and yes, threw the occasional tantrum. Now...those "little ones" are all at school.

I think I must be overly emotional since my baby went off to Kindergarten because truthfully -- I think I'm O.K. with where we are at.

In the midst of those days with my little ones I heard over and over --" enjoy them while they last...they will be gone before you know it." I knew that to be true, and I did enjoy them, but in retrospect, I'm not sure I savored them as much as I wish I had. But isn't that always the case? Isn't that why people tell you to enjoy them...because they too wish they had enjoyed them more?

When I was living the days of cuddling and tummy zerberts, first steps and first words, trips to the zoo and lapsit at the library. I was also in the midst of spit up and ear infections, diapers and tantrums, potty training and sleepless nights. It's all just a blur. During those years, I struggled to complete a thought, let alone savor a moment. I didn't appreciate a cute conversation in the post office line because I still had to address the package, find the right box, & get frustrated over why the line wasn't moving faster so that I could complete my next 10 tasks. The never ending "Mommy, can I have some candy?" questions just didn't seem so cute. My perspective is quite different now as I witness just one adorable chubby cheeked snapshot of my past and not my reality.

Do I miss the precious moments of that time of our life? Yes. Do I want to go back to that time, I'm not so sure.

What I do know is this...I did those years to the best of my ability and I loved them. And now I have today. And today...I can actually complete a thought!

Today, I enjoy my sixth grade daughter immensely...our conversations, the new opportunities she has, and the activities we can do together as mother and daughter. I enjoy my 3rd grade son who still gives me a hug in front of all his friends in the cafeteria at school and marvels with me over how much milkweed our "pet" caterpillar can eat & digest, resulting in crazy amounts of poop. And I'm finding I have the time to savor every moment of Kindergarten with my baby. Taryn has the same teacher as both Carter and Paige and I love hearing her come home from school with the same stories they did. In fact, today was "purple day", she got to wear purple, color purple and learn the "purple song". We all sang it together at the top of our lungs on the drive home from school.

The Purple Song:
(Sung to the tune of Camptown Races)
P-U-R-P-L-E -- Purple, Purple. P-U-R-P-L-E Purple's what that spells. Purple grapes on the vine. Purple Kool-Aids fine. P-U-R-P-L-E Purple's what that spells.

Pretty catchy, huh?

It was a good moment, a good snapshot, one I took the time to savor.