Mariah turned 16 last week. She got her license, permission to date and is eager to find a job. She said, "I'm free!" which made me laugh, because I didn't exactly see her as being imprisoned for the first 15 years. I couldn't be happier for her either.
I marvel at these two children of mine. So different and yet both so completely attached to my heart. John likes to be grounded; Mariah can't wait to fly. John seeks consistency; Mariah likes change. He is a natural musician; she a reader and writer. What a joy it is to raise these lambs of mine. To watch them grow physically, spiritually and emotionally. With all due respect to Sophie's Choice - I could never choose.
I was talking to a co-worker on Friday about motherhood, because her baby is due to be born any day now. Exclaiming, "It goes so fast" is such a cliche', but I imagine it is because it is so true.
For all of you who are new moms, or soon to be moms, I can't emphasize it enough: cherish the moments with your little ones. Cherish the mundane as well as the fun. These moments that tick by into hours, days, weeks, months and years are the moments that will weave themselves into a tapestry. One day in the future you can sit back, exhale and let your mind and heart be covered in this tapestry of memories. Mine is still being woven together, as is yours. Like me, you will have some knots, strings and holes in your tapestry, but the beauty will remain.
I leave you with the most beautiful of reminders from The Fiddler on the Roof:
Sunrise, Sunset
"Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older
When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday
when they were small?
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears."
2 comments:
You have raised two amazing kids. You can always feel free to live vicariously through me anytime you feel the need to be around littles.
P.S. You are definitely funny too. Our crazy gene probably descended from some Maszk or Adsit who was a total weirdo (but a funny one).
This was such a beautiful post! It was a great reminder for me today. I can sometimes get so impatient and frustrated but I KNOW in 20 years I'll be looking back at these days wondering how they went so fast. Thanks for the reminder!
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