"Someday" is Here!

A mother holds her children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.”
Author Unknown

Update: Tyler is now 18 and he has graduated! He is off to University of Windsor in the fall! Where has the time gone? 

The other night I was sitting down with our 17 year old son Tyler and helping him examine options for university next year. As he was trying to make wise decisions about his career path, I couldn’t help but think where has the time gone? It is very unbelievable to me that I am actually helping MY
child select a post secondary course of study! Wasn’t it just yesterday that he was clinging to my leg at Montessori school, not wanting to go? Now here we are and I am the one clinging to him, not wanting him to go! I don’t feel ready, yet I have had all these years to prepare! It’s funny how some things in life feel like they have caught you off guard, but really we just were too busy to really see them coming. I remember years ago thinking when will they grow up? They are so needy right now.  I wondered when will I EVER have some quality alone time? I even wrote a poem about it and it was the first thing I ever had published. It was called “Someday” and it was published in the Salvation Army women’s magazine called Catherine. I am happy to know that even then in all the ups and downs of
parenting little ones, I recognized there were many things that I would greatly miss about that season of my life. Here is the poem.  I read it now with much nostalgia and it is the things I miss that take a front seat in my reflections. 
 
"Someday…”
Someday it will be so nice when I can
- Shower without an audience
- Tidy the house and it actually stays tidy
- Do errands without an entourage of little feet, car seats and diaper bags
- Go grocery shopping without a list containing diapers, wipes, baby food,
etc.
- Have quiet conversation with my husband at dinner
- Linger at a restaurant and actually say “yes” to that much desired coffee
refill
- Have uninterrupted sleep
- Dine at fine establishments
- Only have myself to get ready to go somewhere
- Be free of packing a diaper bag that resembles a suitcase filled with every
possible item I may need
- Nap anytime I please
- Talk on the phone without worrying about what is going on in another room
- Actually get something out of a church service
- Hear myself think
- Watch Oprah instead of Barney
- Not have to change diapers and wipe noses on a continuous basis
- Walk through the house without tripping over toys
- Curl up in a chair and read a book
- Have a bowl of ice cream and not have to share

However when that day comes there will be 
- No hugs and kisses from little angels
- No gleeful baby giggles
- No funny expressions and sayings that bring a smile to my face
- No dancing in the kitchen to our many theme songs
- No looking for little things on walks like doggies, flags and school
buses
- No seeing the world through a child’s eyes
- No cuddling on the couch with little snugglers
- No chance to burst with pride as someone compliments me on my beautiful
babies
- No opportunity to pass around baby pictures
- No feeling that even the simplest outing is being perceived as the greatest
field trip of a lifetime
- No curling up in our favourite chair and having my three year old “read” to
me his favourite stories
- No more prayers for Goliath or the Teletubbies
- No little helpers who enjoy assisting with even the most mundane chores
- No puppet shows, children’s birthday parties or days at the park
- No Timbit runs to Tim Hortons
- No more tea parties with “Mr. Jones”
- No little people who think I can do not wrong
- No little friends to share my life with
- No unexplainable comfort of knowing that my children are safe and loved all
day
- No thrills at watching them change, grow, and accomplish new things
- No little ones that need me quite like they used to

It is then that I will realize, as everyone says, “This too shall pass,” when it comes to the frustrating aspects of parenting little ones, that so will the great things. At that time I will see the “big picture” and fully realize that I wish that “someday” had never come!

Hmmm… Well here I am fourteen years later and  I do feel that way so much!  I remember the day that both my kids were old enough to each take a hand and walk side by side with me. I felt the significance of that moment even then as I knew they were really growing up. My mom used to say as we were growing at different stages “I miss my little people.” At the time I did not get it, but I sure do now! I miss my “little people”  too, but I am also so proud of the “big people” they are becoming. 

I am excited to see what the future holds for both my kids, yet a little sad that it all went too fast. Whatever stage you are at with your kids my friends, enjoy it! Before you know it, it will be over so quickly so take a deep breath, say a little prayer and just relax! Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!
 　
Copyright: littlelessonslearnedbydana, 2013

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