Thursday, January 20, 2011

Today I Lingered in the Moment...

There I stood, walking from my mother's house to my own, a small trail between the two.  My eyes forward, I watched my six year old bouncing toward me with his arms spread as wide as the landscape. Suddenly my heart pounded and I was flooded with memories and the realization that this place in time won't last forever.


I found myself breathing deeply, lingering in the moment, reluctant to let go just yet.


I took a picture in my mind, etching every detail of his smile, his face, his arms, his eyes bright with joy and innocence....recording his laugh and his six year old voice.

Though a new day, still, I have been here before.

Watching my daughter twirl and skip, laughter erupting from deep within.  She is now 18.

Watching my other son proudly ride his new bike.  "Watch me, Mom!"  He is now 14.


We blink, and in an instant a moment passes before us, recaptured only in the memories and mental files we have stored away for safe keeping. 

Today, like many others, I dig through those files, visiting another time and place.


I am thankful for moments that have come and gone. 

And for those moments, those gifts, waiting in my tomorrow.

Both time and my children are a gift from God and I look forward to the morning in great anticipation. 

For tomorrow, I have more pictures to take.  More files to open. 

My cup runneth over...

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. ~ Psalm 127:3


Lord, make me to know my end and [to appreciate] the measure of my days--what it is; let me know and realize how frail I am [how transient is my stay here].  Behold, You have made my days as [short as] handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight. Truly every man at his best is merely a breath! Selah ~Psalm 39:4-5 (Amplified Bible)


2 friends had this to say:

Desiray said...

Now that is what I call finding something to be thankful for. beauty is so around us all the times it's so refreshing to stop and see what is in front of us. It's the little things in life which means so much.

Sharon said...

I have tears in my eyes on this one, Shelly.

Next week, my oldest son turns 28 - how did this happen SO FAST??

We spent a day last week going through boxes of childhood memories - we laughed, we felt sad, we pondered - I marveled at who this person was, sitting across from me - this MAN. Wasn't he the young boy in all those photos? The one who drew those pictures? The baby who word these clothes?

I felt bittersweet - missing the days that are gone - yes. And yet - so grateful for the gift of him in my life NOW.

Tomorrow brings new gifts - and we will take pictures - and they will live in our hearts forever.

GOD BLESS!