Clark and I were cleaning out the basement this past weekend. It doesn't take long for me to find a box of memories. The cleaning then comes to a stop. We have to look through the boy's baby pictures, old love notes, handprints, and photos from our honeymoon. It happens so fast that I tend to forget. Forget how chubby their fingers were, how sweet they smelled in the morning (now they do not smell sweet in the morning!), and how much fun they were when they were climbing and jumping everywhere. Life is so fast-paced that the important things slip by.
I am determined to remember...
This week, Isabella prayed aloud for the first time at bedtime by herself. Her prayer was so sincere and sweet. She used the same phrases and wording that I often use in prayer. That showed me how closely she listens to every word that I say. Of course, I carried on about her proud I was of her. When Daddy came home today, she whispered in my ear, "Tell him Mama, tell him how good I prayed last night. It will make Daddy happy." Memories.
Landry has been so excited about learning how to write a friendly letter in Language. My boy loves to learn like no other! He wrote a friendly letter to his Daddy and me. It was complete with a heading, salutation, body and the closing. It was addressed just as it should be, and I will keep it forever. He thanked Daddy for working so hard for our family and told me how sorry he felt when my back hurts. Memories.
Riley's last basketball game for this season was last night. His team lost. On the way home he told me how impressed he was with the opposing team. They were kind and encouraging even though they were beating the daylights out of our team! He said the other team would make jokes to try to cheer them up, and compliment them when they did something good. Riley said he wants to be that same type of basketball player when his team finally beats someone. Something tells me that he will be. Memories.
I seem to smother my oldest with heart to heart talks lately. I realize what little time I have left with the boy that is almost a man. In the van I began to question him about standards that we believe in. I questioned if he would consider dating a girl that might not believe in particular issues as strongly as he does. He firmly said, "No." I asked why. Because someday she might be my wife, and if she doesn't live it right now, then she won't then. I asked him if he knew why some standards were so important. His response was...without conviction she will not have a prayer covering over our kids or me. Later, he asked me to sit with him to watch a uTube video. He apologized because he knew I was loading the washing maching. The laundry can wait. Sitting and laughing with my first born can't. The name of the video was People Are Awesome. All I could think was how awesome my boy is. Memories.
I am thankful for the ones that we can tuck away in box, but even more thankful for the ones that I can hide away in my heart. May I remember to slow down and bask in the beauty of the moments that are fleeting. May I let go of the negative and see the positive that is all around. May I dwell on all that has been accomplished instead of all that went undone. More challenges for the year.
I am determined to remember.
