Monday, January 7, 2013

"We cannot call back time that is past"

After the endless games of hide-and-seek, the complete lack of personal time and space (because heaven forbid I close the bathroom door), the soaking splashes of turbulent bathtub-turned-battleship-water, and the emotional exhaustion felt from turning every errand on my "to do" list into an exciting adventure, I occasionally need an extra reminder to truly treasure what I have been so very blessed with.
Because that's what every moment is, and should be as a parent: an exciting adventure.  Most days with Lincoln are haphazard escapades, spent embracing discoveries and laughter...but, of course, there are days I struggle to maintain patience, where enjoyment does not come as easily.


With the difficult moments in mind, these words perfectly articulated the importance of valuing time.  To help me remember, again and again: time passes too quickly to allow even one day to escape appreciation.  Thomas S. Monson writes,
"As parents, we should remember that our lives may be the book from the family library which the children most treasure. Are our examples worthy of emulation? Do we live in such a way that a son or a daughter may say, “I want to follow my dad,” or “I want to be like my mother”? Unlike the book on the library shelf, the covers of which shield its contents, our lives cannot be closed. Parents, we truly are an open book in the library of learning of our homes.
Near the end of his life, one father looked back on how he had spent his time on earth. An acclaimed, respected author of numerous scholarly works, he said, “I wish I had written one less book and taken my children fishing more often.”

Time passes quickly. Many parents say that it seems like yesterday that their children were born. Now those children are grown, perhaps with children of their own. “Where did the years go?” they ask. We cannot call back time that is past, we cannot stop time that now is, and we cannot experience the future in our present state. Time is a gift, a treasure not to be put aside for the future but to be used wisely in the present."

7 comments:

  1. Wow! This was a great post. The bottom quote is amazing and so spot on. I can relate to the feeling of, "oh my gosh by son is going to kindergarten soon already!" Time truly does speed by, as I'm sure my parents felt it did for them. Life is so short, but I am so grateful for the beautiful moments that I spend with my husband and babies.

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  2. Great message from President Monson, thanks for posting!

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  3. I can't help but be even 'more' pleased with your parenting when I see things like; toys strewn about, crayolas and paper on the floor, shoeless toddler and his dad having a moment coloring. I know you're the one taking the pictures and you get to see for yourself how quick it goes, wasn't that blond boy a bald little newborn just yesterday? Beautiful thoughts and I'm so glad you record them. You've appreciated the past so you can enjoy the future. Love you much, Mom

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  4. I totally relate. I look at the things my son can do now and I almost struggle to remember the day old newborn I held just 21 months ago. Don't feel guilty for having days of frustration though. These little Toddlers are truly spectacular. They can make you laugh out loud, cry, and want to scream at the top of your lungs in just a matter of seconds.

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