Friday, August 19

Long days, short years


"The days are long, but the years are short."

You've heard that. But you don't believe it, do you?

Maybe you want a child more than anything else on earth. Your heart aches as, month after month, you read the negative pregnancy tests. You can't imagine when you'll get to welcome a child into your home.


Maybe you're pregnant. Your back aches from carrying a baby for these long months. You can't get comfortable, you can't sleep, and you can't imagine going through labor and delivery.

Maybe you have a newborn. Your eyes ache from constant watchfulness over your infant and long nights without enough sleep. You rock and pat and soothe and you can't imagine that you'll ever be able to spend the whole night in your own bed.

Maybe you have a toddler. Your arms ache from picking up a crying child multiple times a day. You do everything you can to get your cranky little one to take a nap, and you can't imagine having a few hours all to yourself.

Maybe you have a preschooler. Your legs ache from running after your busy little one; your throat aches from answering 576 questions every day. You are amazed at how much of a mess one small child can make, and you can't imagine having a clean house.


Maybe you have a child in school. Your head aches from driving carpool and helping with homework and working on projects and producing bake-sale treats at the last minute. You can't imagine having just one schedule to coordinate.

I know you don't believe it. But it's true, I promise you. And before you know it, you'll be sitting in the section marked "Parents" and you'll watch him graduate. Then, before you can blink, you'll be taking him to college.

Just like me.

And you won't be able to imagine how 18 years went by
SO
fast.

**I'm joining Amanda for Weekend Bloggy Reading.**



24 comments:

  1. Oh, so fast. I just have a 2nd grader and a kindergartener and although sometimes the days crawl by, when I look back, it was all in a flash that we got to this point.

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  2. yes ma'am....amen! It's the hardest job, but the most rewarding!
    Suzanne

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  3. As I send my first back for her second year of college this weekend, and as my second starts filling out college applications this week, I shout a loud AMEN to your post, Richella. The early years did not go quickly for me--those were the looonnng days. But the high school years? Where have they gone? And college? Even faster!

    Love this. I pray you will have a good week of transition.

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  4. It is so funny how slow the days can seem, but time just seems to fly right by too! I have a hard time grasping the fact that my baby is almost 3! I can't imagine how I'm going to feel when they are going off to college! Great post Richella!

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  5. So bittersweet! I'm so blessed to have 4 in various baby/kid stages. But my oldest,watching her blossom into a young lady, has me scratching my head wondering how it went so fast.

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  6. This post gave me goosebumps! I'm in the newborn, toddler, and preschooler phases, so thanks for the perspective!

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  7. Our only child, a wonderful son, is at his first full day of kindergarten today. I can't believe 5 years have gone by so quickly! Richella, your blog and posts are a wonderful reminder to live, love and enjoy every minute of every day. Thank you for sharing your heart.
    Susan

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  8. Ooooh, heart. breaking. You have such a wonderful perspective! Thank you for the reminder to cherish the moments that we live in. Hugs!

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  9. Ooooh, heart. breaking. You have such a wonderful perspective! Thank you for the reminder to cherish the moments that we live in. Hugs!

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  10. So true!!! I am holding on to my last one with both hands...feet...anything that will keep him with me;)! It goes by way to fast!!! Being my children's mother is the best thing I have ever done! I love them more than words can say.

    GREAT POST!!!

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  11. CRYING!!!!!! Six years. Just six years left of having him at home. I need to be reminded of this when he smarts off or doesn't clean his room like I asked or uses all the hot water....

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  12. How lucky you are to have the privilege of raising three boys. The years do go by quickly, don't they??

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  13. My son went into the Army last Sunday. I know EXACTLY where you're coming from sister!!

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  14. You said it so well, and it so true. My only started 8th grade a couple of weeks ago. The years are flying...

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  15. Oh yes Richella...this is so true....and then...you watch them get married, and have children of their own! It all goes by so quickly!

    But...each stage is exciting and so full of blessings!

    God is so good!

    Love, Linda

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  16. and DON'T blink, because he will graduate, fall in love. get married and have children - it all goes way too fast!

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  17. I'm right there with you, Richella. We moved Catie in yesterday. By the time we were back home exhausted, she was out dancing! I'm sure they are going to have a ball! Carla

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  18. I'm so there and it's the heart that aches now.

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  19. I'm in pre-stage one.

    Good perspective. Time flies!

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  20. Awwwwww *sniff*.

    My oldest is turning 18 in October. I never, ever thought 18 years could go by so fast.

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  21. Ah yes. I have been quoting that saying a lot lately - we, too, just dropped my daughter off at college. I remember some days thinking will this ever end and now I'd give my eye teeth for a few more!

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  22. you sure know how to say it! snet my kiddos off to high school, one for the 1st time & one for the "last." once you send them to that building time seems to speed up and life is in fast forward! i know i don't have to tell you...

    xoxo

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  23. This is beautiful! You are such a wonderful writer. Thanks so much for your sweet comment on my blog - I can't believe that Lauren is off to college either! It does go by so incredibly fast!

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