Over the last few months I have been really thinking about spending more time with my children. I am just so worried that they are growing up too fast and I'm missing out. One thing I have decided to do is stop teaching piano lessons. As much as I love teaching, it is taking time away from my own sweet children. Precious time. Time that is moving so quickly even my 8 year old said this morning, "Mom, the weeks are just going by so fast. I feel like we were just on Monday yesterday and we're already at Monday again!"
Walking the boys to school is one of my favorite parts of the day. It's early in the morning and we're all still a little sleepy. I try to repair any damage caused in my rushing them to get their backpacks, lunchboxes, socks, shoes, jackets and hats. I talk to them about what the day will hold, remind them of any after school commitments, and just listen to them. I hold Jackson's hand because I think Grant is outgrowing that part. He has started telling me goodbye just as we're walking up to the school. He is probably realizing that he doesn't want me hugging and kissing him goodbye in the cafeteria anymore. One morning last week we were walking along, me all engrossed in getting them down the street at a steady pace, and Jackson says, "See that birdnest?" Um, no. Where? "Way up there!" It was right over my head at that point, perched in the top of a winter-bare sycamore tree. He said, "I see that every morning." I, on the other hand, had never noticed it. It has been there, right up there in those bare branches for who knows how long, and I never saw it until last week when he showed it to me. I want to notice things like that. I want to have time that I'm not so focused on what we have to do that I miss the amazing things going on around us. God's incredible creation that I am so used to that I just overlook wonderful things like birdnests and flowers. Since that day, I am trying to slow down a little bit. I would say we could leave a little earlier, but they cherish every moment spent at home playing before we have to rush out to school. We noticed the daffodils blooming, the train whistle, and some clouds that looked like carrots (in a three year old's opinion). I want that for my family.
I know that the busyness of life can get in the way of things like this, and I hope that I am able to slow down and enjoy these fleeting days as much as possible.
