It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
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As I set the table for our family brunch, I had this moment of amazement: our youngest grandchild eats with a regular plate, a regular fork, and a regular cup. Everyone has a place setting of “adult-ware.” Wait – when did this happen? We have a bin full of children’s unbreakable dishes and tiny spoons and forks, and no one needs them anymore. We babysit the grandkids for a day or two each week, and somehow I missed this? How long have we been serving them with regular utensils? Right under our eyes, they have moved on. I wasn’t even aware that there was a ‘last time.’
There must be countless other examples; let me think –
- all the baby clothes that no longer fit
- now they put on their own socks and shoes
- they open their own yogurts and cheese sticks
- they know how to wash and dry their hands
- when I am watering plants, they actually help me … whoa …
When we go for a walk these days, it’s the baby dolls who get strolled – and the granddaughters who do the pushing and caregiving.
Our babies have grown.
I seriously don’t know when it happened, and I wish there was some way to slow it down. Yes, yes, I realize they are still quite little (ages 5 and 3), but this is astounding to me.
From one stage to the next, time passes almost invisibly. No fanfare, no pushing, no demanding, it just happens, in the midst of living.
I tried my hand at a triolet, to hold my reflections –
holding you close oh my sweet dear one tender as morning dew kissed by adoring sun oh my sweet dear one life’s magic being spun beaming light anew oh my sweet dear one tender as morning dew
Maureen, your triolet is so poignant and moving. I can hear your love for your grandchildren through every word. I also enjoyed the photograph of the stroller and child. It’s surprising how quickly things change. I’m so glad you were able to capture your musings so effectively today. Bravo for being such a loving and wonderful grandmother and such an essential part of your grandchildren’s lives.
Thanks, Barb! It is surprising how quickly things change.
Maureen,
Yes, time passes while life happens, and we miss so many last moments. 😑 I hate thinking about all I’ve missed, all I will miss. Is this unique to those of us looking at the end times, knowing they will be upon us sooner than we realize? I think of the Hootie and the Blowfish song lyric, “time, why you punish me.”
Yes, Glenda, time passes while life happens – so weird a sensation, at times. Thanks!
Maureen, they are adults in the blink of an eye. One day we’re watching our own children learn to tie shoes, the next they’re teaching our grandchildren to tie shoes…….and I am convinced, convinced many times over that the grandchildren grow faster than the kids ever thought about growing. I love your triolet. The repeating line oh my sweet dear one is so precious, speaking directly to the little ones in your life – – the branches on your tree.
Thank you, Kim. Yes, it does seem as if the grands are growing faster than my kids did. Such is life!
Maureen, how very precious and a good illustration of that saying that with young children the days can be long, but the years are so very short. Your examples are so captivating and remind me of my own daughters’ quick growing up. Beautiful post and the triolet is spot on. I love, “oh my sweet dear one”