Last week, on the way to school, we were rounding the corner, and a mother deer with her two babies walked across the road. And being me, I stopped the car, and we watched them until they walked into the nearby woods. Then Elijah and I talked, all to briefly, about how such moments need to be cherished and enjoyed, because they are fleeting when they occur, and don’t happen often enough. The conversation has been rolling around in my mind since. Then last night, the history channel had a special that was discussing the Mayan calendar and it’s predictions that the world would end, as we know it, on December 21, 2012. At which point, Elijah asked that we change the channel because those doom and gloom shows really get under his skin. But, that got me to thinking about how you really never know when time will end for you, and how, like watching the deer crossing the road, we have to look at each moment and enjoy it and value it, because once gone, it is gone forever. So, I thought I might add some of the moments that I remember and cherish so that I might not ever forget.
Elijah counting to 10 while I was pushing when Isaiah was born – even though he almost gagged when he saw all the blood, he was there and excited.
The memories of my grandaddy that come flooding in every single time i hear I’ll Fly Away.
Hearing Elijah and Isaiah get tickled and belly laugh every time…it makes me feel so grateful that we had two instead of just one.
Every birthday, anniversary and mother’s day card that i have gotten from Jose because it is only in those cards that he takes the time to say sweet things, like he’s grateful for me and our life together.
The fact that I was able to get a picture of Elijah, Daddy and Grandaddy Walker even though Grandaddy didn’t know who we were.
Any moment that I am moved to tears in a moment of sentiment – even though it’s like a million times more often since motherhood than before…
Having an entire week with my parents and my kids and no arguments, fussing, tension.
The way Isaiah runs to the door when I come home and asks if I brought him something, and how glad he is when i did.
Having conversations about the way the world works, or history, or friends and family with Elijah. I am so grateful that I like him and that he likes me and that we can have fun together.
Sitting up until 1:30 to talk with Franklin about daily junk, after spending an hour giving him a lecture and telling him how mad he made me.
Isaiah’s grinning, smiling eyes, his willingness to hug and kiss, his love of reading and learning and school.
Jose playing with Lutos when we first moved into the house so it looked like they were dancing.
Elijah and Isaiah picking up a squiggling lizards tail and running about trying to find someone to show it to.
Isaiah and Big Mama sitting outside and waiting for the ducks to come, which they did everytime they heard his voice, in droves.
Elijah’s effective use of sarcasm.
Elijah’s conversations with me about everything from hair growing on his picala, to what happened in his video game, to the kids at school and my prayer that we’ll have them forever.
I could go on. And I am aware that my moments tend to be child specific, but truly, my life tends to be child specific – and i’m o.k. with that. So, I challenge you…add your moments and share them.
