Our house is loud. Happy, chaotic, and loud. Three children under the age of 9 make a lot of noise. There are days when Dave and I cling to that little bit of quiet time after bedtime. We waited 7 years to start our family after our marriage and we were more than ready for this phase in our life. Still, I find myself uttering the statement, "Please, Mommy needs a moment to think." And occassionally a child looks at me like I might be "fragile." Maybe I am some days.
This weekend my sister-in-law came over to visit. She only lives five miles down the road, but it's nice to have a few moments to catch-up since everyone has crazy schedules. Alice has three children -- grown or almost grown. Her last one is graduating college next year. We only had two children at home since Jordan was off at a Girl Scout event. William had said, "Aunt Alice, Aunt Alice, ummmm I need to tell you something." almost a million times in her first hour here.
Finally I kindly apologized to her for the craziness. And she said something -- something she's told me before -- that stopped me in my over-apologetic southern tracks.
"One day, 18 years from now, these little noises will be gone and you will miss it with all your heart. I miss it and you will too."
I hope she keeps reminding me that the little moments -- the mundane moments -- are crazy memories that I'll miss one day.
(As I type this Jordan and William are having one of their "discussions". I'll miss it one day. I'll miss it one day. I'll miss it one day.)
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2 comments:
Ann, Someone once told me to repeat "This too shall pass" I try to remember that when my 2 are fighting. I will try to remember what Alice said too. Sometimes I wonder if I will miss it.
I use the "this too shall pass" motto also. It helps to put things into perspective. Jordan and William (Grace, too) have changed so dramatically each year and I have learned so much as a parent. It's completely humbling -- and exhausting.
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