Saturday, July 18, 2009

Perspective

There's times in life where were given this aha moment. Where something clicks..something makes more sense than ever before...something that has the ability of changing your whole perspective. That moment happened today. I've always been amazed at how God is everywhere. In everything we do He is there. When we need Him most, all we really need to do is listen. I've found this simple task hard to do. Well I found that moment today. 


On my to the YMCA today, I was thinking about the dreaded drop off at the Kid Zone that was ahead of me. Kennedy has been SUPER, with a huge capital S, attached lately. Right smack dab next to mom and dad is where she wants to be. This presents some challenges and at times major frustration for me. I've tried convincing her that mom "has to work out" but it usually ends with me dropping her off and running (sounds pretty harsh I know!) We've tried every method - distraction, reward, praise, you name it and we've tried it. But regardless of our efforts, Kennedy wants US plain and simple. Which leads me to my moment! As I was on my way to the Y, I was flipping through radio stations. Seeing that I was in a somewhat tense frame of mind, a little country music was in order. This is what I heard: 


He didn't have to wake up

He'd been up all night

Layin’ there in bed listenin’

To his new born baby cry

He makes a pot of coffee

He splashes water on his face

His wife gives him a kiss and says

It gonna be OK


It won’t be like this for long

One day soon we'll look back laughin’

At the week we brought her home

This phase is gonna fly by

So baby just hold on

‘Cause it won't be like this for long


Four years later ‘bout 4:30

She's crawling in their bed

And when he drops her off at preschool

She's clinging to his leg

The teacher peels her off of him

He says what can I do

She says now don't you worry

This’ll only last a week or two


It won’t be like this for long

One day soon you'll drop her off

And she won’t even know you're gone

This phase is gonna fly by

If you can just hold on

It won’t be like this for long


~ Darius Rucker, "It Won't Be Like This For Long"



WOW! Talk about speaking to me! I sobbed! 

For so long, I've wanted Kennedy to be a BIG girl and be strong. I realize that she won't be my little 4 year old for long. One day I WILL be missing this! The interesting part of this whole "moment" is that when I dropped her off at the Kid Zone, she did awesome. I was sooo proud of her! But if she decides that mom's leg or arm is where she needs to be than I'll take it because it won't be like this for long!




LOVE THESE TWO! 

5 comments:

Kimberly said...

So true, Sam! This is just what I needed to hear right now and it totally made me cry! Thank goodness I didn't actually hear the song or I'd have sobbed, too! What a well written message. You have very lucky kids!

Beth said...

It's so hard sometimes to not get caught up in the day to day and unfortunately that means losing sight of the fact that the here and now won't be that way for long! Thanks so much for a great reminder Sam, something I hope God will bring to mind for me each and every day.

Megs said...

I love those "aha" moments- and I believe God places them very strategically in our lives:) We are all going to miss these moments where the kids feel like you as parents are the center of the universe. Thanks for the reminder:)
Lots of love your way!

Jessica said...

Our posts seem to have a reoccurring theme this week! Sure glad we are both taking time to enjoy our munchkins in the moment. Lord know there just aren't enough of these precious days.

heather said...

I can totally relate to your post! I have loved that song for so long and have just gotten to the point where I don't tear up each time I hear it! (You know me and country music- it doesn't take much!) Amilia is the EXACT same way when I drop her off at our YMCA. They have actually had to come and get me twice now because she was crying so hard and wouldn't stop. It's so hard!! It makes me feel so selfish for trying to get in a little "me time". BUT, I do realize that that time is so very important for me as a mom. WHen I get my workouts in and can use that outlet for my stresses and frustrations of everyday life, it does wonders for me and, I think, makes me a better mom for it. Better to take it out on the elliptical or treadmill than my little girl! :) Lately, Amilia has been fussy which has been really hard because she's normally the happiest little girl, so it's at these times I take a few minutes and look through her newborn photos (sometimes even when she's screaming in the background). This helps me to remember how fast time has flown and when she's 13 and totally embarassed to have me speak to her in public- I will want this time again! :)