It strikes me today as I cruise through my news feed on Facebook, that it’s graduation season. The kids that once ran around my yard, or played video games on my couch, drank milk right out of my carton, are all grown up!
Friday I am making the trip to St. Catherine’s to watch one of my favorite littles graduate from Brock University! WHAT THE HECK!!! I could swear her mother and I were just at their soccer game a week ago!
Yesterday My son bought his very first car, off the lot, financed by him alone, hot on the heels of his sister getting her first apartment, and I’m left standing here like…. what did I miss?
I blinked somewhere and 20 years flew by, and it had me trying to think back to all the milestones we reach in life, and how quickly it all happens. It hit me that my son is the same age I was when I had him! I was having babies and he is buying one with a V6! I am the same age my mother was when she became a Nana! I am soooo not ready to be somebodies Nana!
I like to keep most of this light but today I am finding no way to lighten this realization.
The moral for today will be never take a second for granted, watch with a grateful eye how quickly the moments pass. When you least expect it you’ll be sipping your coffee, looking at images of kids you have seen eat boogers taking steps in their life as grownups, or looking up from something you are writing only to realize how very quiet it is in your place.
And young ones I am reminded of a poem my father would recite to me at milestones. The Desiderata I am going to include it here for you. Copy it, post it somewhere where you can see it and remind yourself of your journey.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
And that’s all I got to say about that!
Till next time make someone smile, and if you can make them laugh…. Do that!
Dayna
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