Growing Up

* I wrote this on his birthday and it has been sitting as a "draft" for a few months.

Now he is nine.  

I wish I would have realized on the day he was born how quickly he would go from being a little baby in my arms to a busy toddler, chatting and playing.  

I wish I would have realized how quickly he would go from wanting to be read to, to reading to himself.  

I wish I would have realized how quickly the long crazy days at home would turn into busy days running to scouts and soccer.

I realize now how much I need to cherish every time he shares with me the synopsis of the book he has read.  

I realize now how much I need to cherish little lego pieces left in the carpet.  

I realize now I need to cherish every laugh and every new joke because. . .

"Time flies on wings of lightning;
We cannot call it back.
It comes, then passes forward
Along its onward track.
And if we are not mindful,
The chance will fade away,
For life is quick in passing.
’Tis as a single day."

                 - LDS Hymn #226

In those moments when I glance at pictures from the past and wish I could once more hug that little brown eyed three year old I realize how blessed I am that I have a dark haired, freckled faced, nine year old who still gives his mom a hug.