Moments

If you are a parent, particularly of small children, you probably understand what it means to live in the moment more than anyone else. At least, that's how I feel as a parent of little ones. Each moment is a gift or a curse, depending on the circumstance and my attitude. I can be gazing into the eyes of my infant as he smiles at me one minute, wondering how I came to be so blessed; and the next minute be cursing the day I was born as I wrestle with my defiant toddler while both children scream and thrash inconsolably. Since I became a parent, my life has turned into a patchwork quilt of moments, with the exquisite parenting masterpieces being sewn to the mustard color diaper explosions.

A few weeks ago my husband and I were able to venture out sans children and catch up with our close knit group of friends for a weekend. So of course I spent the majority of my time visiting with my fellow Mom friends and lamenting (with them) how quickly our children are growing up before our eyes. (It's easy to do that when I'm not having to deal with them.)

One friend recalled a moment she had with her oldest son, when he was still young enough to sit in her lap and be held. She said she remembered thinking that wouldn't last forever. He was growing up, and she could see a day in her future, when such moments would change as he matured. She became misty-eyed as the moment--still so clear in her memory--came to the front of her mind.

Coincidentally, I had a similar moment the very next day when we all gathered at our friends' house.

When I look at this photo, I'll remember seeing my son confidently climb up on my friend's piano bench and start playing enthusiastically. I'll remember being overwhelmed and unable to continue my conversation with my friend, as I recalled the day I was introduced to the piano and how I couldn't wait to learn to play. I'll remember being flooded with visions of my son as an infant along with imaginings of the future, when perhaps he will develop a passion for music. And I'll remember affectionately how we sat down and just played, discovering and rediscovering, together.