As springtime fades into summer, I am reminded of how quickly time passes by. This time of year is so hectic, full of endings and new beginnings. The days pass by in seconds, the weeks are over in the blink of an eye. As I watch my children say goodbye to friends from school with tears and start the summer that to them will last forever, I think about how fast the summer will turn into fall and a new school year will begin. And end, even faster than the last. I walked my 2 second graders and my fourth grader out of school a week ago, and by the time we were home I realized that they are now third and fifth graders. Next year will be Olivia's last year at elementary school and the little ones are right behind her. I can not believe how fast the years go by. As I prepare for Emma's 8th birthday next week, I am hanging on to their childhood by a thread. I can still see the huge smile on her face when she got her first big girl bike for her 5th birthday, and I think to myself that before long I will see that same smile as she drives off in her first car.
As we get ready to celebrate Emma's birthday we also get to celebrate Father's Day. I remember making cards with construction paper and markers when I was small, and now I get to watch Derek open his hand made cards with the same smile that my dad had years ago. I sit back and watch the kids work forever on the perfect card to give to their wonderful dad. And I watch Derek take each card and thank them with the same loving look and the same big hug that I can remember from my childhood. The look in my dad's eyes and the smile on his face are still just as important to me today as they were when I was 5 years old. There is something about the bond that a father has with his children that is truly priceless. My dad has taught me so much and guided me carefully through life with his silent smile of approval, his quite nod when I had done something wrong and his comforting hug when I needed to be strong. I feel so blessed that I had such wonderful parents, such an amazing father. And, I am so thankful that God has given my children someone to lead them the way that my dad led our family. His patience and love taught me how to be a better parent. His wisdom and kindness taught me how to be a good friend. His life has been a lesson to me, and I know that Derek will instill in our children the same values that my dad passed to my brother and me.
So, yesterday as I was trying to find something meaningful to show my dad just how important he still is to me, and to find the perfect present for my sweet little Emma, I saw an hourglass. I thought about using an hour glass to keep track of time during a board game. It seems like when you first flip the hour glass, the sand will never run out. But, once the hour glass is half empty, it's as if the sand moves faster and faster as you watch your turn slip away. I think that's just how life is, when you start out, it's like time moves backwards. All you want is to learn to walk, learn to read, learn to drive. And then you learn how to be an adult. Then the hour glass speeds up and you watch your life quickly slip away, holding on to the memories that have carried you through. As I watch the people in my life grow up and grow older, I am trying my best to collect wonderful memories that will make the last few grains of sand in my hour glass last forever.
