Wearing: Chambray

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Being a mom is the toughest thing I've ever done.
There are moments in the midst of the endless
laundry and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
that I feel as if I've been set adrift...slightly disoriented
in the expanse of life between diapers and diplomas.
Seasoned mothers tell me,
"One day (and it will seem like tomorrow),
you will go away from this."

After my daughter breaks the heads off all my tulips in the yard
and my son's ill-thrown tennis ball breaks the last
of my hurricane vases from Pottery Barn
I initially find myself thinking,
I can't wait until this stage is past,
and they grow out of that.

I learned my greatest lesson about parenting
from losing my brother...
objects can be replaced...
while the little boy giving me his latest painting
as a peace offering for the broken vase never can.

When I pass the flower vase on the table
filled with the brightly-colored tulips picked "just for me"
I'm struck by the thought that to fast-forward
past all the spilled milk and bumbles and tumbles of my children
would also mean skipping past the beautiful part of them
that believes my kisses really heal their worst boo-boo's.
Then, I find myself mourning the days of their short lives already gone by,
because it's terrifyingly true...

One day, (and it will seem like tomorrow)
I will go away from all this...

(Anthro Two Paths trench, LOFT flower pins, Walmart Chambray shirt, Kristina J. Megan skirt, Candie's pumps)

9 comments:

  1. so true. Beautifully written...powerful visuals you really made me cry.

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  2. I can completely identify with your thoughts. Thank you for the powerful reminder of what is more important in life.

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  3. I don't have children but I've still been guilty or wishing for tomorrow and getting caught up in the rat race of my life. I'm learning to be thankful for today and enjoy the little things :) Great reminder!
    P.S. Love your hair today!!

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  4. The people sitting near me in the library are wondering why I'm crying right now. Sometimes it's so hard to remember what's important. Thanks for the touching post.

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  5. What a beautiful post!
    Those years passed by so quickly and I miss them. I've never missed the dust-gatherers that got broken. They only steal time anyway - the memories are the real treasures that you will want to hold on to. On hectic days, it was hard to hold on to them, or even recognize them as "moments" as they unfolded.
    Thank you so much for sharing yours!

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  6. Okay, I totally cried at your post. My oldest is graduating from high school next week and I can't believe he is that old already. Enjoy them, even with all the stress because before you know it they will be going away to college!

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  7. Thanks so much for this great post, Kristina! I don't yet have children, but I need to make sure that I cherish and nurture the relationships that I do have. Thank you so much for this reminder!

    And I am really loving the feminine simplicity of your outfit!

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  8. Oh make me cry - it's so true! My favorite quote is that the days are long but the years are short...

    LOVE that skirt - such a pretty, pretty piece!!!

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