*Disclaimer* This post is nostalgic and sappy. Possibly because Christmas is coming and yesterday was my birthday. Have tissue or another absorbent device handy. You may also not want to read this in a public place like the library (which is where I was when I wrote it *embarrassing*)
Two of my nieces got married this past summer. One in May, the other in August. They've found wonderful guys to spend their lives with and I am incredibly proud of the young ladies they have become. The weddings were absolutely beautiful. Totally unique, and each as different as the girls are themselves. Their mother is a genius with decor / hospitality planning and I had so much fun helping her.
The point of my rambling is this... time has flown. They are no longer the sweet little girls that I used to babysit and take to the park. They have grown into sweet, young married WOMEN *sigh* Which in turn means that I am no longer a youngster myself. You would think this is obvious, but somewhere in my brain the time machine is switched off. I am still a young married lady myself and my children are still...well, children. Sadly, this is not the case. Somewhere in the past 18 years I have become middle aged - old. again I say *sigh*. My children are teenagers and will soon be looking for Mr and Mrs Right for themselves.
What?? eeeekkkk!! Are my children really old enough to be thinking of and planning weddings?? and then moving off on their own?? Actually, yes. If my eldest daughter, Destinee marries at the same age I did, that is 4 years away. For my son, Thaniel only 2 years.
Where did all those child rearing years go? They have flown by. Have I taught them everything I should have? Everything I wanted to? Will they be able to make the right decisions? Are they dedicated? disciplined? diligent? honest? giving? compassionate? Have I given them the tools they need to be resourceful? creative? generous?
Have we spent enough time together reading? baking cookies? playing board games? exploring? just being silly? Will they have fond memories to carry with them into their adult lives? Have I taught my daughters what they need to know to be good wives / mothers? Have my boys learned to be strong but kind?
These thoughts have been swimming around in my brain for the past six months or so. I could sit and worry (which honestly is my tendency) or I can be proactive. I choose to be proactive and not be the woman who sits and says "if only..." So, we WILL be baking, reading, playing, talking - listening, crafting, singing, etc.... I am determined to make the "learning years" that I have left with my children PRODUCTIVE and FUN. Hopefully we will all learn something TOGETHER.
Which really is the point, right?
