I was sitting in my kitchen going through pictures and looking out our glass doors at the beautiful fall day. I realized that only 3 of the trees still had leaves on them. We have had some pretty windy and stormy days lately so I am not surprised. But what I am surprised by is that it still looks so beautiful. The grass is light golden brown in some spots and green in others. I can see for miles to the horizon where it looks like a postcard picture (you know the ones, the mountains in the background are a bit hazy, they just seem to go on forever). The sky goes from light blue right above my head to almost white in the distance. Not a cloud in sight. I am amazed that these trees, all ready to hibernate, still have a beauty. This “new” season of their lives is not going to be as pretty as the one they just finished. They will no longer wear beautiful gold and red and yellow dresses and suits, but instead, stand bare for a while. Waiting until the next season. When they will shine even brighter with dark green tuxes and formals. All covered in beautiful flowers. You will barely notice the brown skeleton underneath.
As I flip through these pictures in front of me, at the seasons of our family, I am thankful that I took these. It was worth all the moaning and groaning, (not another one momma! Emily dear that’s enough pictures we don’t change every second) But you do. Every time I look at them they have changed, gotten a little older. Just a bit more baby face has disappeared. And I admit I mourn for just a minute that time has passed so quickly. I fear if I mourn to long, I will miss this current moment. Over the daily struggles of messes and mischief, I am so thankful I take these pictures and we put up with the hassle and fear of taking them places so we have these memories and moments. I want to remember each and every season they go through. That we, as a family, go through. It is a time I know I will never get back and want to soak up all that I can while I have it.
You are so right. I do that too -- worry that I'm missing the seasons as they happen. It's so easy to get bogged down, so easy to forget that you'll LOVE your memories of this time. Thanks for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteI liked reading your description of the trees. Honestly, I think those gray, winter-bare branches you describe are probably my favorite: they're so mysterious and haunting.
ReplyDeleteAs for the changes in your children, I feel the same way you do. I want so much to capture these moments and to somehow hold on, but then with each new change I think: This is what I need to capture! This moment! Now! I guess one day they'll be all grown up and I'll be simultaneously missing their babyhoods and completely overwhelmed by how much I love the women they've become. At least, that's what I hope.
What a great perspective to have when raising a family! I too flip through pictures and am overwhelmed at the rapid passage of time; Sometimes I'm eager to get to the next milestone, but all I have to do is remember my boys as wee ones and what I would give to hold them that small again!
ReplyDelete