Never a Minute Older

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Over the last month, we marked a season of change and growth....there were graduations, promotions, the finishing of one stage and looking ahead to the next, a goodbye to some things familiar, with perhaps new and different experiences in our future.

My sister texted me recently about how she'd looked in on her three little ones at night, all asleep in their beds, and said she "wished they would never get a minute older," how even with the diaper changes and runny noses and disobedience, every moment is precious.

Time moves by so quickly, whether or not we're ready, sweeping us along in its current.  Three years from right now, my daughter will have graduated from high school.  Talk about a life change!!  We all know that marks a turning point, that it's not ever the same after that - even with summers home from college, even when living in the same house again - the relationship changes, the process of the final letting go has begun.

That's why I want to make the most of this summer, to recognize the value of the simple moments, to let just being together be enough.  Whatever stage of parenting we're in, we'll hit some rough spots, but we have to take those with the good, and trust that they will make us better parents and give us more wisdom for the next time (or at least for the younger sibling :)  We may make new mistakes, but may God grant us the insight not to make the same ones.

So in the midst of our impatience at another sibling argument or when walking in on a big mess to clean up or while dealing with a child dragging their feet to get in the car, let's give an unexpected smile or hug or word of encouragement. While we can't freeze this moment in time, can't keep our precious children from growing any older, we can give them our love this day and frame sweet memories in our hearts.