Stopping to smell the roses.....
What are memoirs?
Memoirs~ noun
1. a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation.
2. Usually, memoirs.
a. an account of one's personal life and experiences; autobiography.
b. the published record of the proceedings of a group or organization, as of a learned society.
source~ Dictionary.com
The events that shape us and make us who we are. I think people usually think about the big events in their lives.
Birthdays, getting your license, going to college, getting married, having children, deaths, and so on.
The little moments are the ones that we easily forget or don't recognize. We don't seem to notice them when they are happening.
Hugs we give our children, wiping a tear from an eye, helping kids with schoolwork, having a tea party with a little princess are just a few. Every minute of the day is filled with events...memories being made. We are creating our own memoirs and creating someone else's at the same time. Every person we come in contact with has a chance of becoming part of our memoirs and we have the opportunity of becoming part of theirs.
I am a stay-at-home mom of 2 beautiful children. I home school so I am part of their daily lives and they are part of mine. I will admit that there are plenty of times we get so involved in the day-to-day that we lose sight of all the little gifts we are experiencing.
I came across this poem a few years ago and it made me stop and think. We celebrate all of our firsts. We know when they will occur but we never know when our lasts will happen.
Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury
Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,a sunbeam on the burst.
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts…
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts…
The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip.
The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip.
The last night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.
When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.
The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry me when you grew old.
The last time that you said you’d marry me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past
Would I have held on longer if I’d known they were your last?
Would I have held on longer if I’d known they were your last?
Our last adventure to the park, your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.
The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.
Your last few hours of kindergarten, those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.
Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.
I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow will I recognize your lasts?
So what about tomorrow will I recognize your lasts?
The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night.
The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.
The last piano lesson, last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.
Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.
I look ahead and dream of days that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss today’s sweet, precious lasts…
But as I do, I sometimes miss today’s sweet, precious lasts…
The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes, your room is still a mess.
The last time when I shout that yes, your room is still a mess.
The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.
The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.
My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-want to recognize your lasts…
I want to hold on longer-want to recognize your lasts…
The last time that you need my help with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.
The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.
The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.
The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.
I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time, I’d hold on to your lasts.
If I could freeze the hands of time, I’d hold on to your lasts.
For come some bright fall morning, you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way.
College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand just how much you’ll be missed.
One last time to understand just how much you’ll be missed.
I’ll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.
Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.
I love how this poem reminds us to cherish every moment as they come.
We never know when something will be the last time. I have no idea when my son will no longer like to give hugs and kisses(hopefully never) when my daughter no longer sings into her hairbrush, or the last time my sweet little princess will reach for my hand. When will she stop climbing onto my lap? When will be the last time we walk through the woods on our nature hikes?
We take for granted so many aspects of our lives. We take for granted the people we have in our lives.
We need to appreciate all the small gifts that God gives us.
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