"Very Slowly, Then all at Once.

A stack of graduation announcements sits on my desk—at least six or seven. I guess we are at that stage of life. The wedding invitations pour in, then the baby shower invitations, and now these. Many of these kids I watched grow up. How is this possible? My Facebook feed has been full of pictures for the last month or two, from Pre-school graduations to High school graduations. Proud parents are posting and boasting about their graduates and celebrating significant milestones as they eagerly move on to the next level. They say don't blink because the years fly by, and I am starting to believe them. Although I have no graduates of my own this year, I have in the recent past celebrated Pre-school graduation, Kinder graduation, 5th-grade graduation, and 8th-grade graduation. Teen1 is no longer a freshman, Teen2 is in her last year of middle school, and the Bubbas continue to make their mark at the Elementary school. I am still very aware of the clock that seems to tick all too fast.

Hebrews 3:13

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

This summer, the girls are off and running more than ever. Mostly I am a chauffeur, chef, and confidante when they are home, and there are talks of learning to drive and boyfriends. Wait, didn't you just graduate from Kindergarten? It does make me want to slow things down.​My sleepy nine-year-old son wandered into the kitchen this morning with the saunter of an athlete I fell in love with almost twenty years ago, and my heart skipped a beat. He will be a man soon; we will have to have "the talk," innocence will be lost, and he will slip away from me. When did this happen? My baby boy pushed the grocery cart for me the other day and brought in heavy bags with hardly any effort or guidance or support needed from me. He has such deep thoughts and emotions. I know he will be independent long before I am ready."The days drag on, but the years fly by."

Ephesians 5: 15

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time.

So I lean into it. I  try to make myself available, and my home a thick rich place that is warm and kind and fun. Dripping with love and encouragement. I say to my girls, " Yes, I would love to look at that tweet, hear that song AGAIN, take a selfie and help you pick out an outfit."  And to my boys, I say, "Yes, I would love to play basketball with you, see your mine-craft house, and taste that (smoothie???) you just made. " MMMMM."Right now I am their person. Sometimes it overwhelms me to be everyone’s person and I make them be each other’s person. But 99.9% of the time, I find it to be my greatest honor and the highest calling to be called their Mom. (albeit 87,000 times a day!!!! )I am their person. I won't always be. It will happen very slowly, then all at once. (Like in The Fault in our Stars?  Like how you fall in love, or how you fall asleep.)  Then boom! They have new people and it all changes. So for now. I give everything I have, EVERYTHING.  All-day long!!! Like the trainer at the gym says, "This is your hour, give everything you have, leave it all here on the gym floor. Take nothing home with you."Then I collapse in an exhausted pile, asking God to fill me up for another round, another day, another summer, another year. Because the time truly is flying by.

Psalms 90:12 

So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.