taking notes on the other side

"Don't blink. It's over just in one second." "Get and give those hugs and kisses as much as you can!" "I even miss those "you must share" and "say that again nicely" moments." "It was just yesterday.." "I remember those days. Now mine have grandchildren. Enjoy it. It passes much too quickly." I'm taking notes on what I hear Moms (and Dads) who are not in the deep-down nitty-gritty, exhausting, challenging, stretching moments of child training and raising saying. They are the ones on "the other side" and who have come through this having learned the most valuable lesson: Enjoy mothering. Embrace all of it..The good, the bad and the ugly... The highs and lows, the joys and the sorrows. Clearly, I'm in the middle of it and I can't see "to the other side" yet. But soon enough, I will be saying those words to someone who needs the reminder as I do today. And honestly, I know it's sooner than I would like. So, I'm challenging myself (and praying along the way!!) to embrace mothering "on this side" because "the other side" is coming much too quickly. Lord, thank You for the deep-down nitty-gritty, exhausting, challenging, stretching moments of child training. I'm embracing every moment! Thank You so much for these precious ones You trust me to train and nurture.