When Those Kids Grow Up
Today our baby turns 19. Where did the time go? We barely started on our journey as parents and now the children are all grown up. I see the gray hair as I look at my reflection in the mirror. I see the tiny wrinkles at the corner of my bride's eyes. We've been married now longer than we were single shucks we've been parents longer than we were single! How could the time have passed so speedily? What would I do differently if I could do it all again?
I don't know what to say about the first question other than to admit that I became so busy with the mundane details of life and work that I hardly noticed its passing at the time. Years went by unobserved and under appreciated. I remember thinking, "When things slow down, then I will .." You can fill in the blank with your own wish. We wish our lives away with phrases like: when the kids grow up, when the summer comes, when we have the money, etc. ad nauseum!
That brings me to the second question. I do have one big idea about that and it is simply this: I would savor each moment and enjoy it to the fullest.
Like that perfect fall day when Ben was playing soccer down at Cape Carteret. The two older kids had played their matches earlier that day and now were lounging on a blanket on the sidelines where Becky and I were sitting in our lawn chairs. Becky and the kids were watching the lazy clouds move across the bright, blue sky and "finding" different shapes in them. As the hard charging sports fan of the family, I was watching Ben play and cheering his efforts.
I don't really remember who won that soccer match, but I do remember our going over to the playground afterwards and playing on the swings and slide. The kids' laughter filled the air. We played until the sun began to sink behind the big old trees that lined the park. As we walked back to the van, there was a reluctance to leave that magical place.
The kids fidgeted a bit, but soon fell asleep on the ride home. Becky and I were left in the quiet of another nightfall with our relaxed conversation. It was a time to enjoy and rejoice over and I am sure I did but not like I do now.
Most of those precious days with our children are in my rearview mirror now. The sweetness of them grows bittersweet as I see them waning. There is no going back, so what can we do?
Lets not waste time bemoaning yesterday's failures, but take time to enjoy today. Laugh out loud today. Sing a favorite old song and dance with your spouse today (It will cause your teenagers to either giggle or roll their eyes). Make a date to spend time with your family today. Give someone a gift for no reason at all today. Eat cake instead of green vegetables today. And most importantly, share Jesus with those you love most today. Because one day when today is over, there is an eternity waiting beyond. Don't you want to share it with all those you love?
