The Bittersweet Reality of Being a Parent

“The days are long but the years are short.”

I have heard this phrase a thousand times and have repeated it to myself on the hard days.  But, boy, does it sometimes smack you in the face!

Like today, when my son wasn’t attempting to injure himself in any way possible, he wanted me to carry him. EVERYWHERE.

This wasn’t a problem when he was younger, but now that he’s 30 pounds and much more solid, it can take its toll.  Especially when I am trying to get some chores and work done.

This morning, as I was picking him up for what seemed like the 100th time and lamenting the fact that my back was starting to get a burning ache, with the hand that wasn’t holding him on my hip, I tossed some mail into the shred pile.   Then I stopped.  There was a postcard from my university (Go Rhody!) that is sent frequently to alumni. 

At first, I thought how great it would be if he went to the same university that I did and then I thought, oh my goodness, one day my sweet little boy will (hopefully) be going to a university.  He won’t be the 30-pound squirmy worm that just wants his mama to hold and carry him around everywhere.  He won’t be the little boy who calls himself “Jo Jo” and demands to me “I do” when I try to brush his teeth or hair.

He will, God-willing, grow into a strong, wonderful man.

One day he won’t only be ours anymore.

He will belong to friends, a wife, children, co-workers….the world.

For now, it is just us.  Our little, sometimes quiet, mostly loud, family.

As we are now approaching his second birthday, the reality of “the days are long but the years are short” are screaming at me louder than when I don’t give him “bobby” (peanut butter) sandwiches for lunch.

So, instead of getting upset that the dishes needed to be done, the clothes needed to be folded and my pile of work was overflowing, I strapped on the baby carrier, propped him inside and spent the morning making chocolate hazelnut date balls for desert.  I first made these chocolate hazelnut date balls when I was pregnant with him. 

​When I was pregnant, I read somewhere that eating dates in the third trimester can help when it comes time to labor.   So, every single day, I would eat dates, multiple times.  I would put them in shakes, cut them up and put them on bagels, roll them into the same chocolate hazelnut date balls.

So today, as I was putting the dates in the food processor, I was struck with another “the years are short” realization.

As I carried him my womb two years ago and we shared chocolate hazelnut date balls, now, as he is almost two years old, I again carried him but this time in my arms and again, we shared chocolate hazelnut date balls.

These past two years have flown by and it is bittersweet to watch him grow up.

Whether it is making chocolate hazelnut date balls or praying the Rosary together, I thank God for the constant, little reminders to slow down and enjoy each precious, little moment. 

How do you slow down to enjoy the precious, little moments?  Please share with us on Facebook!
 
As always, thank you for reading.  God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!