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Jessie asked me this morning, “mamma, how do you grow up?” and I simply stated, “you just live your life and before you know it, you’re grown up.”
It was a great question. Cause really you don’t think about how much you’ve grown until you realized how much you’ve grown up from the last time you thought about it.
And then it came. The feeling of being punched in the gut. The kind that makes you want to throw up and cry at the same time. You know it.
How do I have a child that is almost six years old? How am I on my last baby? How will two of them be in full time school next year? How will this be the last year I nurse a baby? Since when did my son start talking and running around with his sisters? How have I been married almost SEVEN years? How have I been graduated from high school almost TEN?
You don’t think about it-
until you realize they take a little bit more of the couch then they use to.
until she tells you she wants to write to her cousins, “all by myself”.
until he will finally give you more then 2 seconds to take a picture of him…smiling…looking at you.
until your baby gets a little more chunky, a little more aware, a little more happy.
Then you make a vow to never take a day with them for granted. You make yourself promise you will be more present in every moment.
And then…you just live your life.
I know I’m sure to miss
A vital part unless you keep
Reminding me of this.
There’s so much that I want to do,
A lot I’ve left undone,
So many plans discarded,
And a few I’ve not begun.
Life passes by so fast, Lord,
How often I’ve been told,
It always does around the time
That we are growing old.
For everything a season
Is wise as well as just,
But I had rather wear me out,
Than fall apart with rust.
Life passes by so fast, Lord,
The days, the months, the years,
Lord keep a smile upon my lips,
And blot away the tears.
Teach me to lean upon Your arm,
When pain and sickness strike,
To tell the facts from fancies,
That sometimes look alike.
Life passes by so fast, Lord,
And yet how kind You are,
In granting me the precious years,
That I have had so far.
So let the days grow shorter,
The darkest shadows part,
But put the wrinkles on my face,
…And never on my heart
By Grace E. Easley
Thanks for looking!
♥ be
Shannon Dodge - and now here I sit. in tears. you have such a gift, Becky. a gift for capturing life as it is, right this second. and a gift for writing about it, and telling a story at the same time. beautiful. and thank you for the reminder that life is so very short, and to live each day and treat each moment as a gift. (your timing for this was perfect for me!)
Kelly Robison - This past year the reality of getting older has hit harder than ever before. Is my daughter really 10 years old and now wearing a bra?! Has it really been 15 years since I graduated from high school?! Will I have the courage to have another child now that so much time has gone by…? I start hearing that dang ticking of the clock in my head. I loved how you mentioned the couch. I remember when my daughter fit entirely on the middle cushion, laying down on her blankie. Wow, that almost seems like another lifetime.
Valeire - Oh Becky! I love these, but ESPECIALLY the one of your oldest son! So adorable! Love what you wrote too. xx
brooke - Becky Earl.. you amaze me, in ever way. These pictures and your words tug at my heart strings
And in answer to your question on my blog.. if you are serious.. OH YES! Are you kidding me, yes!
Audrey - beautifully written.
toni raper - I am emotional today anyway, now I feel ten times more so. Thank you for sharing what comes from your beautiful spirit.
Ashley Dawn - Awesome…… just freaking amazing! What a perfect way of words and images!
Wendhy Jeffers - So true! I had my six year wedding anniversary this summer and my 10 year is also around the corner. I can’t believe that I am no longer a young adult, but an ADULT! How is this possible? I fee 16!!! Crazyness! Love the pics
And I can’t wait to finally meet you on Monday.
Melissa Jacks - Love this post…a lot.
My 20 year reunion was this week, my oldest is 16 (dating and driving), my youngest is in his last year of elementary school, and I am 2 years away from being 40. How did that happen?
Beautiful images…
Kate Craft - Amazing …words and pictures!
JendaLynne Photography - And with this blog post it reminds me I am another year closer to 25 sigh……great photos becky.
Nine - precious <3 brought tears to my eyes! just found your blog and just love it!!!