SAVORING THEIR CHILDHOOD

This is one of my most favorite photos of my kids, ever. They’re all together, having breakfast, unaware that they’re being photographed. It’s the start of the day – before any of us have woken up enough to have full conversations, before any bickering can break out, before the squeals and laughter, before the day’s skinned knees and hurt feelings and incredible childhood discoveries. This is them, embarking on their day with sugary cereal and stuffed animals and a loyal friend at their feet. This is them, in the light of a rising sun, thinking about playing at the pool and building imaginary worlds and what book they’ll read this afternoon during quiet time. They’re unaware that they are experiencing the glory of childhood, unaware that their mom is trying – desperately trying – to commit this moment to memory. The sounds of their voices. The smell of the food they’re eating. The warmth of the sun pouring through the window.

Childhood is fleeting, but there is no way to understand that until it is long gone, far behind you. There is no way for my kids (or any kid, for that matter) to savor their childhood any more than they already do. And that’s kindof perfect, isn’t it? Because if they were trying, something would be lost. It is their job to just be.

And it’s my job to let them.

p.s. There’s a giveaway going on over at my Facebook page today. Go check it out.