The Days Are Long But The Years Are Short

First an update on baby Addie:  While she is not of the woods yet, she is moving in the right direction.  Recovering from a major surgery like this is often a roller coaster of ups and downs. Continued thoughts and prayers for her and her family can only help them get off ride sooner and bring their baby girl home where she belongs.

This week's photo challenge is: Ordinary Things.      

 

Those of you who know me well know that I am not a crier - meaning I don't usually cry at the end of sappy movies or other things like that. It usually takes a lot to get the water works flowing. When I first found out I was pregnant (and was very obviously hormonal), I saw this commercial for the first time and I actually started sobbing. 

  

The line that really got to me was "…there are only so many moments before the sword is passed." 

 

When I saw this challenge posted, I knew it had to be about Nick.  In my mind, he is still the 5 year old playing T-ball with a helmet that is too big and a bat he can barely hold up.  In reality, he is a 6'2" Sophmore who now comes up to the plate swinging the bat with confidence and grace, and who will be  turning 16 in just a few short weeks.  16!  How in the world did that happen?  

 

Like most teenagers, he tends to leave his things around the house. It's more convenient than putting them away or so I am told. The baseball equipment seems like its out of control sometimes - taking up the entire trunk of the car or half of the dining room. These are the "things" that seem like a nuisance now but that I know I will miss when he goes off to college and beyond. He recently spent the weekend with his grandparents and the house just felt empty without him.  Jack kept looking for him and was thrilled when he came home.  Clearly I am not going to be the only one who is sad when he does actually move into a dorm room. 

 

My picture of an ordinary thing this week, is this bucket of baseballs.  It has been in our lives for quite a few years, but that we can never seem to find a home for them, even in the off season.  

One of the links to blogs that I read is Gretchen Rubin’s, “The Happiness Project.”  One of her Four Splendid Truths is that “the days are long but the years are short.”  She couldn’t be more right.  We have only 2 ½ years until Nick graduates and I know that time is going to fly by.  Instead of complaining about driving to St. Bernard’s all the time, or about rushing home to get to a wrestling match, or smelly sneakers, or his messy room (this list could go on and on), I am going to try to enjoy every funny sarcastic remark he comes up with, enjoy every little victory, and savor all of the ordinary moments in between.  He is truly a gift to our family and has quickly grown into a smart, witty, almost-adult, who makes the right decisions on the things that really matter.  Any parent would be proud to call him their son.  I love you, Nick!