Spring
Spring seems to have arrived here in Northeastern Washington state. Yesterday could not have been more perfect. Eighty degrees, slight breeze. We spent a couple hours at the park — the kids riding their bikes, Kevin and I visiting in the sunshine. Our city park has a nice cement bike path that loops through the park. We picked a spot where we could see the whole path and let the kids loose. Josiah, our three-year-old, was especially proud of himself, since he just graduated from a tricycle to a small bike with training wheels. As I was walking him to the restroom, swinging our hands back and forth, he looked up at me and said, “Mom, I’m not a baby anymore.” And I smiled down at him and said, “No, ‘Siah, you’re not a baby anymore.”
My Mom asked me this morning if I felt sad about this. About how fast the kids are growing. And do I regret that we won’t be having any more babies. And I answered no. Honestly. Although I do choke up when I think of how fast time is flying, I am genuinely enjoying this phase of our lives. The kids are at such great ages. I love being able to have conversations with them — real conversations about the world and their feelings and their discoveries. I love not having to bring a diaper bag or bottles everywhere we go. I love watching them step out in independence and make friends. And even though it’s bittersweet, I love watching them not need me as much. After all, that’s our goal as parents, right? To nurture them and love them and discipline them and ultimately watch them grow up and be a person in their own right.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ready for this to happen NOW! But I’m ready to enjoy every minute along the way.
