She said she usually cried at least once a day
not because she was sad
but because the world was so beautiful
and life was so short.
Brian Andreas
Today, the sun is shining and I have my children around me. As I go around the house I smile at things: when I hear Grace’s laugh–which is a mixture of a squeal and giggles; when I look out the window and see the boys zooming around the driveway on their bikes; when Caleb brings me his favorite book and makes his “please read” noise. I smiled yesterday when my husband came home early and surprised me.
I read this in a book yesterday:
Mr. Boeff never traveled around the world
or even drove a car. He was happy to let
Florence do the driving. He had a good job,
a house with big yard and a sleeping porch.
Sometimes he and Mrs.Boeff would sleep
out there, he says, “look at the moon
and talk ourselves to sleep.” He loved his
wife and his baby boy. He wasn’t lonely.
He wasn’t searching.
Harry Boeff had everything he wanted by the time he was thirty.”
“He had everything he wanted by the time he was thirty.” — That’s how I feel about my life. I told that to Rich and he didn’t like it. He thought I was saying that I was sort of “done”. . .”ready to die”. That’s not what I mean, though. I do look forward to whatever comes, whatever God has planned for me in the future.
But for now, I am simply happy. Content. Fulfilled. I am a firm believer in “cherishing the moment”.
I read this quote last night in something Joanna sent me:
When she was in her eighties,
she told her husband that the
happiest time in her life was spent sitting
at the round kitchen table in their small house
with all her children underfoot. M.Stoddard
I’m in that stage of life right now, when “the children are underfoot.” I’m determined to relish it. When I’m 80 I want to relish that age, too.
Cherish the moment. Be here now. Live today.
I heard a man who was over 100 years old say, “you don’t realize how fast life goes by until you’re up in years”.
Everyone says that “time flies”. And it does.
Today I want to be aware of my baby’s soft breath on my cheek. I want to smell Grace’s hair as I brush it. I want to record Jacob’s laugh and the feel of Ethan’s hug. I took pictures of my kitchen helper today-my David-to help me remember that once upon a time I had a little boy watching and helping his mommy mix cookies.
“MMMMM, this dough is GOOD”, David said, as he helped himself to more.
Good to be Home 
I’ve been in my own sad mood about my little guy growing up so fast and he’s almost 1. LOL and then I read your post and it about made me cry =] But in the good way! I know what you mean about having everything you’ve ever wanted. I always wanted a family and a loving husband and I have it. 🙂 I hope you have a great day and enjoy those cookies…I think I may just need to get my helpers together and make some too! =]
The b&w picture of you in the kitchen makes me think of those wholesome old tv shows. I know you you feel about cherishing the moment. I am trying to do that so much right now. I was also planning on making cookies with Ainsley today… some one-on-one mommy and me time. Now I know for sure I want to do it. 🙂
What a beautiful entry, Shanda. I am ashamed to say that I need to be praying for that contentment in my heart, oh how I need that in my life right now. Thank you for stirring my heart today.
Hands down the best post you have ever done! Every word, every picture.
Great post. Remember “I want the bowl!!!”?
I need to make cookies….I think I’ll make chocolate chip tonight.
You hit the nail on the head. So wonderful, I just love it. We will never get this time back, it’s a time to be treasured and I am realizing that now. My oldest is now 8 and I am realizing that soon she will be 13 and then 18. Time does fly by. Your pictures say a thousand words, how blessed your children are to have a mom like you. Enjoy your cookies. -Tara
Life is full of seasons. Each one is different and each one flows into the next. This season that we’re in, this season of children and homemaking and educating will surely flow into the next. But the beauty is in treasuring whatever season you are in. Thank you for the beautiful thoughts you shared here.
What a lovely post! I had to read it over & over again. How right it is of you to treasure these precious moments … enjoy every bit of them!
Beautiful words and pictures! Thanks for the reminder to cherish each moment and our children right now. So, are you thirty? I will be next month. I was wondering if the 76 in your screen name was the year you were born.
Last Christmas, I did a video interview with my grandmother, who is in her 80’s. I asked her what her favorite memory of her husband, my grandpa, was … and she said it was when the children were little, watching him play with their children. That struck such a chord in me, too … a reminder that these days will be past so quickly and treasured forever. Thank you for your beautiful post. ~Stephanie
Each day with our children is like a jewel in the crown of our old age. :)Great reminder and great post. 🙂 Nice apron too. I have a couple and I just love wearing them. Great picture of your cooking helper.
I use to dread the idea of baking with the girls and now I treasure the time together in the kitchen and seeing how happy it makes them. Truly one of those ‘in the moment’ things to cherish.
Sometimes I get caught up in the “stresses” of life and I need to remind myself of what you said… to cherish the moment and live today.
What a sweet and thoughtful post! Loved the photos!!
Hi Shanda. I just loved this post, as well. So important to remember. Thanks for sharing it. What book were you referring to earlier in your post (Mr. Boeff)? It sounds good. I love to read a good story. 🙂 Have a blessed weekend with your family.
What a beautiful post!!! Mine are both teens now, and as much as I miss the little ones, I’d never wish them to be young again. I love the people they have become. Each moment is a treasure (but you already know that!)
Ok, you made me cry!! I need to read things like this sometimes.
Hello,
I just found your blog, via the Big Families are Great blogring. I just wanted to say that this post really touched me. I feel the same way you do with regards to really relishing this stage of life. Too often we mothers just want to hurry things up to get to the next stage. However, life is just too fast for that. My eldest child is 10 and frankly I just don’t understand how we got to 10 years so quickly.
Anyhoo, great blog! I’m going to have to join this blogring too!