Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Long Days, Short Years


My alarm goes off at 5:30am. I hit snooze once (or maybe twice). Then, shower, get dressed, put on make-up.

I head down the hall to turn off the alarm, feed the dog, and start the coffee. There must be coffee. 

I make the rounds to wake up my girls. Sometimes, I stop short and just stare at them for a few seconds. They look angelic when they sleep and I can still see the toddlers they used to be. It's fleeting, though. Soon, I am thinking to myself, "How are they ever going to make it when they go off to college and I'm not there to wake them each day?" I say their nicknames and give them a gentle shake. "Wake up! Time to get going!"

I head back downstairs to make my coffee - stevia and lots of creamer. I need to pack the lunches. Oh, how I despise packing those lunches! Day after day and picky eating kids. I throw in a Lunchable or an Uncrustable and a apple, then I feel guilty for not packing something healthier or more creative. Shrug. I Gave up on being creative a long time ago. 

I make the rounds one more time just to make sure everyone is awake. They're not. "Get up! Get up! Come on!!" No time for sentimental gazing now. 

I have my usual breakfast - a bowl of protein cereal. Brush my teeth and gather my things. One by one, they come down. "Get your shoes on. Grab your bag. Do you have your lunchbox?"

Out the door for the carpool runs. Drop off the youngest two. Then, a coffee date with my oldest daughter. Focus. Cherish. There aren't many of these left. She can drive herself next year. 

Drop her at school, then off to work. Meeting. Emails. Work. Meeting. Emails. Work. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. 

Back to the car for pick up rounds. Phone keeps dinging with emails, texts. "Hey there girls! Did you have a good day?" "Yes. Do you have any snacks?" 

After school activities - some days there are more than others. Maybe an errand if we have a few minutes to squeeze it in. It's probably a grocery run if we do.

Finally, home again - just in time for me to need to start dinner. Cook it up. Serve it up. Clean it up.

"Do you have homework? Then, get to work."

Remind them to shower. (Why do they need a reminder to shower?)

Send them to bed. 

Laundry. Dishes. More emails. Maybe TV. Maybe a book if I can keep my eyes open long enough to read a few chapters. 

Finally, my head hits the pillow for a few hours of sleep before it's time to do it all all over again. 

It's been long day. 

Most days seem like long days these days. 

*************************************************************
Rushed sips of morning coffee and a bowl of cereal. I scroll through my Facebook feed. "You have memories to look back on today." Click. 
Their tiny faces stare back at me through the screen. Still the same, but also different now. 

Six years ago? Nine? 

Has it really been that long since they were that small. Not possible. It feels like it was just last week. Just a couple days ago.

Look at that face! Look at those curls! 

I remember that outfit. I remember that day. I remember sleepless nights and toddler tantrums. I remember sticky fingers and midday nap times. 

I thought those days would never end, but here we are. How did we get here?  It's a different kind of chaos now. A different kind of crazy. 

Somewhere through the miles and miles, my little ones became tweens and teens. Nap time was replaced by homework and I hear "Mom, can I go out with my friends?" instead of "Mommy, come watch me again!"  

Those days seemed long, so very long. THESE days seem long, so very long. 

But, oh the years! They fly by so fast! 

Hug tight. Don't blink. Hold on. Let go. 

Long days. Short years. 

Long Days.

Short years.   

14 comments:

Janine Huldie said...

Omg, so true and you summed up my own days an years with my own family perfectly <3

Tamara Bowman said...

So true! And also that the chaos doesn’t end just because they’re not little anymore. Different stages!

Kenya said...

Long days, short years - so true! I love their Easter dresses/colors. I think you should give yourself a break with the lunches and go ahead and tell them now - "Next school year, you are packing your own lunches." Christopher is also responsible for letting me know when his lunch items are running low. It's so nice not thinking about that anymore. Dinner is all we should have to worry about. That's a big one in itself.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Janine!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I really should. I just think it is already hard to get them out the door - can't imagine what junk they would throw in in a rush!! Also, my oldest will be on a very different schedule next year, so she will definitely be on her own for lunch!

Kenya said...

Oh believe me Christopher's lunch isn't the healthiest. But he does drink a protein drink as breakfast and also have one after school so that's makes me feel less guilty about what goes into his lunch. Who's to say he even at the fruit and things like that I used to put in there. ;-)

Kristi Rieger Campbell said...

Some of the Facebook memories slay me a little bit. Long days, short years is exactly right. And why DO they need a reminder to shower? I often wonder that myself. I should start counting every morning how many times I say "put on your shoes, let's go let's go let's go..." Your FB memory photo is adorable and I still gaze at Tucker when he's sleeping too. The only time (mostly) I still see toddler-him. Sigh.

Chris Carter said...

So first of all, I LOVE to come over here to read your words, Lisa! And second of all- you described the FULL THROTTLE typical day so perfectly... And then the screeching halt of that FB memory. Oh, those get me too. The days ARE so long. But those years? They are flying by...

Pat B said...

Oh, the years go by so quickly, and then it becomes the grandchildren's years go by so quickly, and then . . .
It is hard to believe at times.
Cherish the moments.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

The FB memories kill me! It’s hard to see the toddler int hem these days -I have to catch it at just the right moment.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Chris! I dont’ put word here as often as I would like anymore. Glad you came by!!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I try to cherish them. Some days it is hard, but I ertainly try! :-)

Dana said...

Ah, those FB memories! Long days and short years - so true. I look back on many things and miss those days, but I have to tell you - I do NOT miss packing lunches. I don't know if I'll ever get nostalgic about that!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I definitely do not think I'll miss that either!! I certainly don't miss the poopy diapers and temper tantrums, either!

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