We drove to the airport Sunday as my dad flew home from Florida. McKenna stared out the window as we arrived, “there’s no snow! It’s spring!” She followed with ramblings of our afternoon plans, the park with Daddy and a bike ride and then a picnic in the backyard.
Somewhere lost in five year-old translation was the fact that my dad wasn’t actually bringing Florida and it’s weather home with his plane. We would be getting out of the car to the same temperature we climbed in, boots to our knees, re-zipping coats.
She asked about Easter and how many days and if it was Summer or Spring before Easter or after? and I combed my brain for a way to explain time and the order of things.
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When I was in grade school I couldn’t wait for high school, there would be new people and nicer girls and I would drive.
In high school I dreamt of college, no more cliques, a class schedule without Gym and my own life.
I couldn’t wait to finish college and move out on my own, support myself and my daughter and walk right into the arms of the man of my dreams.
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It is 10 am on a Tuesday and the washing machine and dishwasher are waiting as are two writing assignments and four kids with urgent requests.
I am typing and writing and listening to playroom sounds and ice melt.
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Driving home from the airport, I count the months of winter off to McKenna and remind her our snowman still needs a nose and wasn’t sledding so much fun? We might have lots and lots more weeks until spring so she can wear her favorite piggy hat to keep her head warm and take it off when she only needs her favorite pink sunglasses. Then we will love spring while it is here and not really wish for summer to come or think about fall because winter will back and she will already be six.
I stop at the grocery store for almond milk and eggs and a carrot for our waiting snowman. We have big plans to finish what we started before it is gone.
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Definitely a great reminder to treasure today and not just look to the future. There is always happiness to be found in today.
I’m so guilty of this. It’s something I’ve done throughout my entire life — always looking to the next thing and not enjoying what’s right in front of me. I never realize I’m doing it until I’ve moved on.
I am constantly trying to remind our twins that 5 is a good age but with all their friends turning 6 they can’t wait for their “big birthday”. Teaching how to enjoy the moment is so hard (especially when you are in the midst of laundry, dinner, bath time, bed time, repeat). Thank you for the reminder and the beautiful post. xo
This is so lovely. Teaching her the value of time, and not just how it passes. Good job momma.
I actually remember, in college, trying to convince myself that I actually did enjoy it better than high school, and that there weren’t really cliques.
That did change, in time. But, early on, yeah – it took a fair bit for me to get out of high-schoolness.
It’s so true. I did that with my son’s milestones. Going through my mental battle, I have learned to just be in the moment. Don’t look forward, backward or sideways…just right here. I’m not waiting anymore. I’m just enjoying the moments as they come. Nice and slow 🙂
Isn’t it funny how most of our lives IS spent waiting for the “next thing?” In some ways, I think it’s a way of preparing ourselves for change. But waiting has a different sense for me now that I have a house full of kids. I do think about the changes ahead. It’s still with anticipation, but it also makes me appreciate even more so what I have right now.
Beautiful post as usual, Jessica!
I feel the same Doni, I don’t wait the way I used to, in anticipation for something better. Now I think I’m just along for their ride :).
Yes, it does often seem like we’re always waiting for the next step. I couldn’t wait for high school and then college and then real life and now, well now I would love to be a kid and put carrots on snowmen and worry about things like how long until spring?