Our little turkeys performed in the preschool program last night. Proving that motherhood has permanently altered my emotional barometer, I started crying when the first class uttered their opening notes. It did not seem to matter to my tear ducts or my heart that they were not my children.
I once prided myself in the fact that I did not cry in front of people ever--even when it was legitimate. I am now an emotional mess (or shall we call it a tender, sensitive soul? :-)I struggled to understand what made me so tearful, until I realized those BIG 4 year olds on the stage were only a year older than my children. My only children. And was it really 12 months ago that I was watching my 2 year olds on that stage?
It is trite, but that doesn't change the fact that it is true: These days are fleeting.I am generally really peaceful about the fact that this is 'it' for us. Our family feels complete. Some days I do still regret that I am "drinking from a firehose" when it comes to motherhood. How different would it be if I had done this one baby at a time? I grieve the loss of those precious moments of one-on-one bonding with a new baby. Or mornings while the older children are at preschool to drink in the little one. But, oh, how grateful I am for the gift of three precious ones, where there once were none!
I would not change our story. Truly, comparison is the thief of all joy. Allowing my mind to wander and wonder is a fruitless exercise.
Thank you God for a life that is uniquely ours. May we glorify you with it always.
Now I am off to chase my little turkeys around the house. They are dressed in their turkey shirts and hats, running into the room shouting "You can't eat me!" then giggling as they dash away. I think that deserves some tickles!
18 comments:
Another reminder for you that these ARE the "Good old days."
What a great reminder to cherish what is ours.
I agree that I am a totally changed woman since children.
Sometimes I wonder where this bumbling mess came from and what happened to the strong person I used to *think* I was.....
Have a great weekend.
In HIM -
Mindy
i did the same thing at ella's last school program...i started crying the minute the younger kids starting singing! i couldn't help it! your kiddos look adorable.
I love your line "comparison is the theif of all joy." Something I struggle with daily (possibly hourly or moment-by-moment?) :) Thank you for your perspective, as always.
So cute!
My daughter had "eigth grade night" at her basketball game this week - the last home game in the junior high program. The girls were introduced with their parents and every girl had a poster made for her, lots of fanfare.
Looking over the pictures the next day, I forgot to breathe and began to weep.
I also had to leave the kitchen the other night because our 16-year-old son was sitting at the counter with a Bible in front of him, asking questions of his dad - trying to own his faith. I had to leave because I forgot to breathe and began to weep.
Yes the time is fleeting.
The days are long. The years are short.
Once again, your children are so precious.
You are blessed, Jmom. You are blessed.
Wow they have grown so much, and they looks so much alike in the pictures! You have such beautiful children and they look so happy. It is obvious in your posts how much joy they recieve from each other, joy that would not be there had there only been one.
It is a struggle I also have sometimes in my mind. But, oh how blessed we are :) Have a wonderful day!
This post made my heart squeeze a little.
Beautiful and wise.
P.S. Maybe your children are playing turkey with you because you've been playing with so many real turkeys lately?!?
I love the quote you included, comparison is the thief of all joy. I've often thought that, but had never heard it expressed so well! I'm glad you're enjoying these moments!
I cried this morning at Caroline's program because it dawned on me that next year she'll be in Kindergarten and where did the time go?
Love the line about comparison is the thief of all joy. It's so true.
This post ministered to me in such a deep way. We have one precious 4 year old daughter. After 3 devastating miscarriages, we're now in the seemingly never ending waiting game for an international adoption. I try so hard to be positive and say that our family will grow in God's perfect timing, but the fact of the matter is that I struggle, alot. Always thinking about how different things could be if we hadn't lost those 3 precious lives, or what if the adoption would hurry up and be finalized. It is so hard to be happy and content when you want more children. But, as you put so eloquently, the comparison...I waste so much time on the what if's...and that takes time and energy away from my beautiful child that I have right in front of me. After all, if I'm only to have one child- then God did an amazing job on that one!
Thank you for speaking words that helped my hurting heart!
In Him,
Holly
"Truly, comparison is the thief of all joy. Allowing my mind to wander and wonder is a fruitless exercise."
I LOVE this statement. It is sooo very true and wise.
Your little turkeys are so cute. I remember going to these types of holiday programs so long ago. My kids are all grown and I have a grandbaby and two more on the way so I'm sure it'll be full circle again.
Well, this was just beautiful and true Jmom! I think we have all become tender-hearted souls now!
Our babies are growing up by the minute and when we have those moments of "OH MY GOSH WHERE IS THE TIME GOING??" it hits hard and kinda hurts hard.
Enjoy your sweet ones this weekend.
They are darling.
Blessings~
I live far away from you, in Ohio, but am one of your faithful blog followers! I check in on a few blogs daily and yours is one of them. I am also a mom, so I often find your words to be so inspiring and real.
I wanted to tell you that your 3 are so precious. What gifts they are! I also wanted to tell you that I think you and your husband would do absolutely wonderful with another one. Truly, any child who got to grow up in your house would be blessed indeed! I say this because I was adopted when I was 3 weeks old. My parents are the most wonderful, supportive people who made it their mission in life (like yours) to gently guide me toward my Heavenly Father. I often think what my life would be like if they would not have found a place in their heart for me. Who would I be? What kind of family would I have grown up in? I shutter at the thought and thank God relentlessly that He had a plan.
Anyway, I just had to share that with you. Take it or leave it, it's up to you. Either way, you sure have 3 cuties that blessed beyond measure to know you as "mom".
JMom,I understand what you are saying. I have two single children and a set of twins. I was always told that God thought special of me by giving me two at one time. I felt honored! God knew that your physical heart could only handle one pregnancy, so HE honored you by giving you triplets. How many mothers can say that? God knows what's best for all of us, and He choose YOU to be the Godly mother for R,K, and P. You are doing an awesome job! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
They were all so precious weren't they? Yours were adorable in their turkey shirts and I even had a quick word with one of your boys as I was scooting out the door with my own (I had dorm duty that night, so we had to leave early). I think he said something along the lines of "but we have to go THAT way." In other words, our brood was going the wrong way! Have a blessed Thanksgiving and thanks for this sweet post.
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