This week, I had to admit 
that ‘they’ were right…Those ladies who years ago would look at me with my five small children, smile, and then tell me to enjoy these years because they go by fast. I wanted to throw up every time someone said that to me. I understood what they were trying to tell me, but honestly, I was tired, overwhelmed, tired, stretched thin, and did I mention tired? But this week, I had to admit they were right.
On Monday, my four youngest children started their first day of their senior year of high school. (My oldest starts her second year of college next week!) I hadn’t given it too much thought until I saw friends posting pictures of their kids’ first day. Many of them with kids the same age as mine, posted pictures of the first day of kindergarten along with the first day of senior year together. How did we get here? Where had the time gone? Some of those early days seemed endless and yet the years had flown by.
I thought back to all the times I worried about them and their older sister in school. Would they find friends? Would any of them get picked on? Would they each find their own niche? How would they handle moving to new schools? How would they transition to middle school? High school?
Now as I look back, I’m amazed at all the life that has taken place. Yes, they made friends. Yes, some of them got picked on and experienced mean people. (Those are the times when the mama bear in me roars!) They have each found their own niche…children and families, choir, computers, running, and photography and yearbook. They each handled our moves in their own ways, learning how to make new friends and adapt to new situations; tears and heart break always a part of it. Transitions into middle school and high school, although difficult at times, helped shape them into the people they are today. There have been a lot of tears shed. We have faced difficult circumstances and people. But there has been an abundance of laughter and joy. The kind that makes your heart burst and your face light up.
There has been a lot of prayer and learning to trust. I’ve learned the even when circumstances aren’t what I would like them to be, God has my kids in His capable hands. And that as much as I love them and want the best for them, He loves them even more. He is not surprised by anything that they face and has a plan for each one of them.
So the tears flow. Partly because I’m already grieving for the time when they leave and begin their own lives. (I really enjoy them and will miss having them around!) But mostly, because I’m in awe of the amazing journey I’ve had with each of my children; the people we’ve met and the experiences we’ve had. It’s a testimony to God’s love, provision, and faithfulness.
So those ladies were right, it does go by fast….I’m glad I took the time to enjoy it!
