Life's Moments

I enjoy watching and listening to young mother's these days.  It takes me back to when my three were little, and I was struggling to cope with all that life was throwing at me.  There were moments, and sometimes even days, when I thought none of us would survive.  I watch these young moms and I know that they will make it, but sometimes they just aren't too sure.

Today I was cleaning out a drawer in the filing cabinet, and I came across my youngest child's graduation cards, and a few keepsakes from school.  Among the treasures was a paper he had to write for one of his classes. I think it might have been his senior speech. He wrote of memories from kindergarten through his senior year.  How much he enjoyed his friends, and some funny things that had happened through the years, but the ending is what touched my heart, and made me cry.  It's also what made me think of all the young moms that I know.  It's so worth it to survive the childhood encounters with your children.  They do hear what you are saying to them.  They are watching you and learning from you, and they do appreciate you.

Here is how he finished up the paper:

My parents are the people who have shown me how to best live in this world, and I thank them for everything they have given me.  The one thing I am the most thankful for is the laughter they brought into my life.  I couldn't imagine going through life without a sense of humor.  My mom's stories about my life, and her own have taught me how to be humble, even though sometimes I forget.  My dad taught me how to be a man, and I hope that I can grow to be every bit the man that he is, and has shown me to be.  My parents are the greatest influence in my life, and that is what I am most grateful for.

Now it is only fair I mention my sisters, and all the ways they have made my life interesting.  I love both of them, and I am glad that they were always there for me.  Julie was there for the deep talks, and Sarah was always pushing me to try new things.  Now I hope to return the favor to Julie, by being the best uncle to her soon to be born son, Greyson.

It's moments in life like this that make you feel like it was worth it after all. So go change one more diaper, clean up one more spilled drink, put the toys away, and then take the time to snuggle, to laugh, and to enjoy, because sooner than you think, those little ones will be grown and gone from home.