Enjoying Today

From the time I became a mom, everyone has told me, “enjoy the moment.  They grow up fast.”  I think as an older mom, I tend to take that a little more seriously than I might have when I was younger, because I had to wait so long for Cooper, and because I have lived long enough to see for myself how time flies.

And there are moments I do treasure.  Many of them are already gone, but they still happen on a regular basis, like rocking him to sleep at night.  Now, when I sing, sometimes he sings with me.  Mommy and Cooper sitting in a rocking chair in his dark room, singing hymns together.

We went for a walk at the park the other day.  I thought he would want to walk alone and explore things as I walked, but he ran up behind me and put his little hand in mine and walked with me.  And I treasured that moment, for I'm sure the day will come when he thinks he is too old to hold my hand, or maybe to even be seen walking with me.

The other night we went outside after dinner as a family to enjoy a beautiful evening.  Don and I sat in our swing, and Cooper climbed up between us.  As we all sat, enjoying the evening, Cooper began to sing softly, “I have decided to follow Jesus.”  Don and I just sat and listened, and I prayed that the day would someday come when Cooper would make that commitment in his heart.

There are the moments I peek in on him sleeping, or see his joy when I give him news he wants to hear.  There is the enchantment of watching him experience something for the first time, or learn to do something new.  Nothing feels better than seeing his face light up when I come to pick him up from the nursery or come home to him when I’ve been gone a while, especially if it’s accompanied by him running to me with open arms, saying, “Momeeeeeeeee!”

Every day we have with our children is a gift, not to be taken for granted.  Some days it’s more easily recognizable than others, but I encourage you to savor the time you have with your little ones.  They may never come again.