I'm Gonna Miss This

Lately I've been thinking a lot about Lily going to kindergarten in just 7 short months. No, I'm not borrowing tomorrow's worries, I just want to be intentional about not rushing through these last few months with her at home. As she's gotten older and able to entertain herself for longer periods of time, I've had to fight against the urge to let her do her own thing while I do mine. There is always something to do, between work and running a household, but I will have those things the rest of my life, and these are probably the last few months I will ever have a pre-schooler at home. So I don't want to rush through them.

I want to sit down as she presents me with a gift, like the one she's put together here. It usually has a card (lately with a bunch of unrelated letters on it- B, R and P seem to be her favorites lately) and a household item wrapped in tissue paper (a shoe, a kitchen towel, one of her toys, etc.). I don't just want to grab it and absently say, "Thaaaaanks" while my attention remains mostly on the bill that I'm paying, the email that I'm answering or the vegetables I'm chopping. Yes, all those things must be done, but usually they can wait a moment.

I want to freeze in my mind forever the outfits she puts together, like these cheetah boots, peacock pajama pants and green patterned hoodie. It's classic Lily, but I've been a mom for enough seasons to know it won't be for long. This version of "Classic Lily" will give way to a more grown up version (sniff, sniff) and I want to be able to look back knowing I savored the moments that seem mundane while they're happening, but become treasures in hindsight.

Lily Jill, I have loved being your mama. You are a gift every day! You might be getting older, but spending time with you never gets old.