Learning to Love the Long Days
Posted at 7:56 am on September 15, 2009 by Farrah
A friend of mine just put the following quote as her Facebook status: “The days are long, but the years are short.” I have been thinking about this so much lately. About how easy it is to always just try to get through the day. That is not how I want my life to be.
My older son started preschool this week. He was a little nervous about mommy not being able to stay with him. But when it came time for the leaving, he did great and I sat in the parking lot and cried for a few minutes. I can’t believe we are already here. He is already starting school, starting the process of leaving me. Also, my little guy just turned one and looks less and less like a baby everyday. He is walking and talking and expressing his opinion. He just started sleeping through the night in his own crib (gasp!). He is turning into a little boy. And before I know it, I will be dropping him off at school and setting him too on this path that ends in leaving me.
This may make me sound like a totally over-attached mom- one of those mothers who can’t let go and is always hovering. Don’t worry. I am aware of my tendency towards this certain neurosis so I compensate by consciously stepping back and letting them just be. But shamelessly, I am one of those mothers who just truly enjoys being with my sons. They are my favorite people in the world and I would choose to spend time with them above anyone else. And because of that, I don’t want to miss a moment. Even during this time when the days seem long.
I don’t want to live life going through the motions, just doing what it 
takes to get through the day. I know that life has seasons. Having a newborn and a toddler for me has been a season of life where I had to work hard to keep my head above water. But with each coming day, it gets a little bit easier and I am a little more motivated to live life passionately. Not just doing the minimum.
I want to leave my phone at home more often when we go to the park. I want to stop making mental lists or watching the time when I am playing with the boys. I want to do things that may seem like a hassle or have spontaneous picnics. Mostly, I just want to enjoy these days with my boys so that when I look back on these long days, I will see that we lived them fully.
I have so much on my plate. We all do. Part-time job, work-from home business, multiple blogs, playgroups, Bible Studies, housework, long-neglected projects…. I am constantly being pulled in multiple directions. It is common for me to stay up way too late getting things done or to finish the day feeling a total lack of accomplishment. There are so many things I would do if only I had the time. But when I look at that to-do list, it all seems so insignificant if it is taking away from my ability to spend quality, focused time with my family.
I guess what I am saying is that all the recent signs of growing up around here have left me feeling like blogging and business, etc… are not the things I want filling my moments. I want to be with my boys and to cherish these days, even the long ones, that make up these short years.
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