Stop and Smell the Roses

I recently had an epiphany: All stages of life are wonderful.

As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, I have a real big problem living for tomorrow. To be honest, I could not wait to start a family and start taking part in family activities (t-ball, school plays, Santa Claus, random questions, and birthdays). I imagine it perfectly!

When I was a child, I just couldn’t wait to get to high school. I could then drive a car, get a locker at school, stay out later, and have boyfriends! I took for granted all the wonderful things about being a kid. I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain a pound. I wasn’t old enough to feel ridiculed yet or to be able to judge people. I didn’t realize how wonderful summer vacations were and I was completely oblivious to how hot it actually got outside. Finally, I didn’t realize that my best friends wouldn’t always be my best friends and that my Grandparents wouldn’t be around forever. I wanted to speed up time, thinking about myself alone and no one else.

In high school, I had so much fun. I had found some of the funniest friends, a great boyfriend (Heath), and a love for volleyball. Heath graduated before me and then my friends and I fell apart. Soon, it seemed like all I had was two friends and volleyball. I became unmotivated and volleyball started to move to the backburner as well. All I could dream about was “growing up.” College was going to be so fun. Heath and I would be together and I would make new friends. Living in a dorm and making my own rules would be amazing.

Even in college, I started to get the engagement itch and started imagining a family. It seemed like the next stage in life was always just a bit more appealing. And now, I could finally get to the point in my life that I wanted to be in. We graduated, bought a house, got engaged, moved our Chihuahuas in, and bought a family vehicle. It seemed like we were only two, well-meaning and wholesome boys short of my ‘Leave it to Beaver’ vision. Oh alright, I don’t wear dresses and pearls and I work full-time; but, we were close anyway. I could totally pull off June Cleaver.

On a serious note though, Lucy is the best thing to ever happen to me and Heath. I am sure our other children will also rock our worlds. :) Nonetheless, here I am. I am in the beginning of my dream. When we complete our family, then we will officially start the family activities (t-ball, Santa Claus, etc.). Then it happened – the epiphany.

I was sitting with my family and started thinking about my cousin going to college this fall. I felt sad for my aunt and uncle. That chapter, or stage rather, was almost over for them. They only had one more child at home. What would they do now?

EPIPHANY!

They would watch their daughter get married and have children of her own. Then, they’d watch their son get married and have a family. Many changes were in store for them. They would become grandparents and then great-grandparents. They could look forward to retirement and taking months of vacation at a time.

All stages of life are wonderful. I wish I could have realized this as a child. It is something that I want to instill in Lucy. You should never be in a rush to skip chapters in your book. Enjoy family, grandparents, sports, naps, cookies, and take on responsibility slowly.

I do remember, a few times in the past, looking at a clock and thinking, “I only have two more hours of this.” I was referring to whatever I was doing at the time. Perhaps it was a sleepover, a high school dance, or supper with my grandparents. But, I can’t tell you the last time I looked at the clock and thought that. It’s a sure sign for me to slow down.

I don’t regret any of my life decisions, by any means; however, sometimes I wish I just would have stopped to look at the clock, stopped to soak it in, and stopped to smell the roses.

All stages of life are wonderful. Stop and smell the roses.