We Ask the Same Questions

Monday March 28, 2011
I visited one of my favorite blog friends the other day, and her question echoed in my heart.

Corrine wrote, “They’re kids, big kids. Doing big kid things. How did this happen?” Her post was accompanied by precious pictures, too. I love visiting Corrine. She always makes me smile, sometimes through my tears.

But that day, her words echoed in my heart. I’ve said them; I’ve lived them.

There are decades between the two of us, but so much is the same. The sands in the hourglass seem such a mystery. We’re just living, doing, being, and all of the sudden – they’re big. They’ve grown. Then, they mature.

I absolutely adore the baby days. Toddlers crack me up. Preschoolers are so entertaining. During the grade school years, you see so much growth. We suffer together through middle school, but smile and sigh when they emerge. Then there are those people who inhabit your house – at times – during the high school years.

Much of it is incredibly hard, but that just makes the inevitable beautiful shine all the brighter. It all fills up your heart.

No matter where you are right now, don’t dread the future. Enjoy today and welcome tomorrow. All of the growing and learning and loving ahead is a wonder to behold!

I'm posting today over at the Mother of Boys Society and there's a giveaway --come see me!

Blessings! Friday's Fave Five

Friday April 23, 2010

Happy Friday! It’s time to revisit the blessings of the week. While you’re considering yours, let me share mine.

(If you’re new to FFF, visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story to find out all about it. You can link up and join in.)

This week’s Top Five for me:

1. A hubby come home! He was traveling for an entire week, and boy, did I miss him. There were a few nice things about his trip, though – nightly phone calls were fun, and he left me a few fun messages on my phone at school in the middle of the day. And he brought me home a new t-shirt! It’s just nice to be together again.

2. An evening with friends. Since my hubby was gone, I went to a party with a friend from work. She and I had so much fun – talked all the way there and back. I’m so thankful for heart friends like her.

3. Progress on papers. If you’re a regular follower, you’re probably thinking, “Is she still talking about those papers?” My students do a major research paper that is a six-week long process. I grade each step, so yes, I’m still talking about those papers! Last time, I was happy to be done with the rough drafts…now I’m grading the final papers. I have made progress, but there are more to grade…

4. The ages and stages of life. When my boys were very little, I often appreciated their stages only as they left a wearisome one. Once I had four of them, spread across nine years, I began to see the wonder of all those stages. (When I had a half second to think, that is…) It’s so great to be able to watch them now as they enter new stages – first jobs, graduations, ultrasounds. So much to rejoice over!

5. Wise words. Once again, a G.K. Chesterton quote spoke to me this week.

“How much larger your life would be if your self could become smaller in it.”

When we look up and look around, our selves diminish and life becomes so much greater, larger, and more wonderful. I’ve found that when I focus on the One who loves me more than any other, my perspective shifts. Happiness and contentment become the order of the day.

How was your week? I’d love to hear!