Laying warm clothes onto the bed, I notice your shirt. Black, the required color for work. You’re 20 now, and…how blessed I am to have these last months with you at home, still able to do your laundry if I manage to beat you to it.
Gone are the days of munchkin-sized onesies approximately as big as your current shoe size. Child of mine who’s walked into manhood right before my eyes; your brothers fast on your heels.
How I’d inhale an opportunity to sit with you again on the green-carpeted floor of our first home. Backing up into my lap, you’d plop down as if you knew I’d come just to be with you. And you were right.
And while we’re at it, one more chance to tiptoe back into the days when you were all of 13 years old, the finest “scientist” I ever did see—your curtain call to trick-or-treating. Laughter sweeter than all the candy corn on the street. Oh for the days.
I swear I only blinked.
And, then there’s you, my middle child, a high school senior now—and, by the way—what do you think you’re doing being almost 18?
Who gave you permission to stop being the 10 year old in my mind’s eye—the one who chased the sun all day, finding mystery in every treasure the dusty ground held? Barefooted boy with jeans rolled high, fast friends with the creek down the street, full of life and wonder, charm and mischief.
Babe of mine, who once-upon-a-time couldn’t cross Dreamland’s threshold without a blankie snuggled up against your perfect olive face; pacie never far.
And then you were four—sitting on my lap, captivated by the likes of Brown Bear, Brown Bear and The Topsy Turvies—story upon story we’d both eventually know by heart.
I’m sure I only blinked.
And you, my darling baby boy—what in the ever-lovin’ world?—how can it be that you’ve outgrown me already?
Yesterday you were eight months old, crying as I dropped you off—your first visit to the nursery. Your mother, right down the hall with the other Mothers-of-Preschoolers, might as well have been on the moon as far as you were concerned…too far to feel the warmth of safe, familiar arms.
You, with your white hair and chubby little legs…and your smile. Oh your smile. If ever there was a smile on a child, it was the smile born in your eyes.
How is it that you’re a teenager already? Sweet youngest of my heart—who, happily, waited 15 months to toddle your first steps—no rush you felt, after all, you had your people to carry you. Little one whose parents now understood that babies don’t keep.
And, I know I only blinked.
All too soon, beautiful sons of mine, I won’t wait up for you before drifting off to sleep, and your mailboxes won’t be visible from my front porch. Still…always…your mother I’ll be. Your boyhoods playing like a movie reel on the big-screen of my memory; your laughter my medicine; your dreams my hope.
To the world I say: Be ready. Curiosity and laughter, courage and heart, energy and plans—that’s what my little boys are made of—and they’re coming at you faster than I can hold them back.
And, I wonder why.
Why I ever blinked. 
(Thank you, friends, for indulging me with this post of Thanksgiving this November. Thankful beyond all measure for these boys ~ children for which I prayed.)
~ Linking up this week with these lovely ladies: Intentional Tuesdays , #RaRaLinkup , Testimony Tuesday , Titus 2sday , #TellHisStory , Coffee for Your Heart , Women With Intention Wednesdays , Thought Provoking Thursday , Dance with Jesus , Faith Filled Friday , Faith and Friends Friday , Faith and Fellowship and Weekend Whispers ~
I’m with you. I blinked as well, and now my children are 21 and 18. It’s unbelievable to me how fast the years sped by. Beautiful post. Thankful for the memories! Following you at Crystal’s today.
Amazing how quickly they slip from one phase to another, isn’t it? Thanks for reading and commiserating, Julie. 🙂 ((hug))
Brenda, what a beautiful walk though our memories. You made me cry.
Awe, thanks for letting me “make you cry,” Debbie. 🙂 Glad you stopped by today. ((hug))
Brenda, beautiful words that reveal your sweet heart for your too-fast growing boys. I’m certain if you could have made it happen, time would have stood still. But what a legacy your love for them has left behind. Thank you, friend, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday. : )
Crystal Storms recently posted…Intentional Tuesday Linkup {Week 43}
Crystal, I think you know me. 🙂 I would have bottled up time and set it on a shelf, to revisit forever, if I could have. (Or at least figured out a way to stop blinking. 😉 ) Thanks for reading, my friend. <3 ((Hug))
Brenda, my two boys are growing so quickly. My oldest will be 13 in a few months. Cannot. Believe. It. I only blinked and he went from baby-chubbiness to a lean almost-teen. And my younger boy, 11 going on 20, smart beyond his years. Growing so quickly into the man he will one day become. I’m trying to savor every single moment I have with them.
I loved getting glimpses of your boys. What a blessing you have being a mama to so many. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. 🙂
Jeanne Takenaka recently posted…Heart: Too Busy
Jeanne, if only we could figure out a way to stop blinking…we’d be famous with the mom-crowd, wouldn’t we? 🙂 Thanks for stopping by here too, glad to have you visit. 🙂 ((hug))
Aw, brings tears to my eyes. My kids are only youngsters yet I know that one day they will be moving on before I even know it. And I dread it! Tomorrow my monthly homeschooling post goes up and I had the same sentiments about how I blinked and they hit such big milestones this past month. I want to savor every moment! Fantastic post!!
Ana (@ANAWINSblog) recently posted…Do You Trust that the Lord Will Provide?
The day will come before you’re ready, Ana. (I feel like such a granny saying that…*smile*) High-fives to your kiddos for hitting great milestones this month. 🙂 ((blessings))
Gosh, WHY do I blink? Kinda wiping away a tear, here! My own son just started his first part-time job and getting ready to graduate and it all feels super fast all of a sudden, Brenda!
A beautiful way to write about it, love this post, and so glad we’re neighbours today at #TellHisStory 🙂
Christine Duncan recently posted…Sometimes Brave
Funny how 18, 20 years can feel “all of a sudden,” isn’t it? Congrats to your son on his job and upcoming graduation. 🙂 Hang in there mama…I think we’re gonna make it. 😀 ((Hug))
This is a beautiful post, like several others who commented, I teared up reading it! My boy is at college, and I just wasn’t ready for it. Wasn’t prepared. But I do thank God for a great relationship, texting, e-mail, and the phone. May have just 2 years now with my girl!
Betsy de Cruz recently posted…The Most Important Thing for Family Togetherness
((Hug)) Prayers for y’all as you adjust. It sneaks up on you, doesn’t it? Wasn’t it just yesterday we were holding their hands across the street? Like the familiar saying goes: “The days are long, but the years are short.” Whoever wrote that…was a mother. ((blessings to you, friend)) <3
Such a pleasure to share airwaves with you today Brenda. This is a gorgeous post. I will visit again, for sure!
Susan Shipe recently posted…a good, good father
Likewise, Susan. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and sharing. ((Hug))
Sweet mama posts are the best. Love this, Brenda 🙂
Happy early Thanksgiving to ya!
Lyli @3dlessons4life.com recently posted…In Everything
Thank you, Lyli. <3 Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! ((hug))
Awww! Brenda, this is so beautiful, sweet friend! Thank you so much for sharing! GOD bless you, Love! 🙂
((Hug)) Thank you, Tai. 🙂 Always appreciate your heart, friend. <3
Brenda – I love looking back; sweet remembrances and beautifully written by you, as ever. I’m in the next phase – sugar and spice and unbelievably nice – grandma’ing (oh, it’s worth the wait!). Blessings this holiday season to you and yours!
Awe, Happy Grandmother’ing to you, Sandra. 🙂 Happy Holidays to y’all as well. ((Hug))
So sweet! What a precious memory to share, thank you. It is amazing how fast the days fly, especially when we are overwhelmed in the trenches and wonder if we will get a breath in the moment.
Blessings!
Dawn
Dawn recently posted…When we dare to give grace…
Yes, Dawn, amazing indeed. Goes too fast. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing, this morning. 🙂 ((hug))
I’m sure all mamas read this and nod! And then fight back the tears. I wish I’d known then what I know now. I would’ve slowed down and simply relished every single second of those baby years instead of getting distracted and rushed by the world. The good news is I know better today! Thank you for sharing!
Carrie recently posted…The Father I’ve Always Wanted … Weekend Whispers
A few regrets always come with the territory, don’t they? ((Hug)) Thanks for coming by and sharing, Carrie. ((blessings))
Hi Brenda, I don’t know how I feel now! I am so touched by your post. My girl is just 4 but I would be more intentional in cherishing these moments in this phase.
Hugs and Blessings to you.
Ifeoma Samuel recently posted…When You Don’t Feel Thankful
Hey Ifeoma. 😀 Age four is a great age. They’re all great…each has its own challenges, but all are worth cherishing. Just don’t blink! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, great to see you. 🙂 ((Hug))
Beautiful, Brenda! I walked back through my own memories of my children….
Hey Jeralyn! Lovely to have you here. Thanks for stopping in and reading. 😀 ((HUG))