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Today, my friend Stefanie told me about Katrina Kenison and her book (and video) titled "The Gift of an Ordinary Day" and I was so moved that I wanted to share it with others. I have three teen boys who seemed to have grown up right before my eyes. I was a single parent (for my biological son) for over 10 years and remember many moments where I secretly wished the future would arrive faster so he'd be more capable, more mature, more helpful so I wouldn't always feel like the tired, hurried mommy. If he would just go potty by himself, life would be easier. If he could just climb out of the car by himself and tie his own shoes, my life would not be so hectic. If he could just make himself a sandwich or take a bath on his own, I'd have have more time. I'm embarrassed to admit I even remember thinking "if he could just read by himself, I'd get more chores done".
I occasionally catch myself doing it now, even though my 14 year old now mows the grass, does his own laundry and washes the dishes after dinner. If he could just drive, I wouldn't have to leave work early. If he could just get a job, I wouldn't be constantly shelling out allowance. Katrina's words are wonderful reminders for me to savor the ordinary and cherish the moments where I still have the opportunity to help him, to teach him, and simply enjoy him. Soon he'll be in high school, than college, and living independently out in the world without any help from me. When that time comes, I suspect I'll trade anything to tie one more shoe, make one more sandwich, read one more book, and shuttle one more teen to the sporting goods store.
Imagining what that longing will be like makes me suddenly grateful that I have a few more years to have everyday moments with my kids. I have a whole new appreciation for the time I have left with them in my house. So excuse me, I have a sandwich to make.
What are some of the ordinary moments you cherish with your kids? Join the discussion in my BlogFrog community here!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Gift of an Ordinary Day
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6 comments:
Oh I know what you mean! How many times I have tried to speed up time and now that my oldest is 17 I can't slow it down and my heart aches that in 1 short year he will leaving my nest.
A beautiful post - brought me to tears. Max is 8 I can see this coming all too fast. Thanks for the reminder. On my birthday Max and I took a morning walk and he held my hand for nearly the whole hour. I savored it.
Hi there! Your post was so moving and wonderful! I am stopping by from BLogfrog for SITS and love your blog. You sound like an amazing woman! Your newest follower! Come drop by sometime if you get the chance! http://kitchenbelleicious.blogspot.com
I feel the same way. Time goes by way too fast. Great post!
Hey, I was wondering if you could help me with my Blog Frog community. I would like to build it up and make it a really vital part of my blog. I would love some tips and things to put on it to make it more exciting to my readers. I also have questions about my role on it. Am I a moderator. Should I post in there too? I know, I am kind of lame :)
XOXO
Jen
{tatertots & jello}
Oh man, are trying to make me CRY?! My oldest is 22 and my youngest is 15. I cherished all those moments as they flew by.....and now I get to watch them start all over from a GRAMMA'S perspective. What a blessed life I have :)
Holly,
I met you last night at the NoCoSocialMedia Social (#ncsms) and visited your blog today. The video you discovered, then shared with us, was very moving. It hit home for me because my son is 14 1/2 and suddenly he's a teen-ager. And I, too, yearn for all the ordinary moments and hang onto the current ones that seem to be less and less, the older he gets. I might have only 4 or 5 years with my son, here, living with me. So, I find myself feeling and doing the same things that Katrina Kenison expresses in this moving video. (Can't wait to read her book). Thank you for sharing it in such a well-written post that compliments the video and book.
Lori Gama http://twitter.com/lorigama
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