Sometimes I need reminders. And sometimes those reminders come in the form of my own words (weird, right?). And because today is the last day of school for my kiddos AND because it’s also my son’s 12 birthday (sniff…sniff), I’m giving myself this reminder. Maybe you could use it too.
My I Should Summer
I do it to myself every year.
The month of May rolls around and I know that school will be out in a few weeks and we’re going to have days filled with nothing but time, time and more time. No more hurrying out the door in the morning all the while barking orders…
“Put your shoes on!”
“Stop hitting each other with stuffed animals!”
“Why are you taking that hair clip out that I just put in?”
“How could you get in the car without your backpack after I said 20 times ‘don’t forget your backpack!’?”
I’m starting to hyperventilate a little bit just typing that out and thinking about how that will be our life again once school starts back up!!
Deep breaths!
But in May, well, in May the desperation for a slower pace has reached it’s climax and I’m giddy with thoughts of endless hours of nothing. And not having to sign my initials on one more reading chart, permission slip or lunch calendar.
So I start a list in my head of all of the things I’m going to accomplish with all of that time. I can hear you laughing at me already.;-)
I should organize my craft supplies.
I really should sort through the toys in the playroom closet.
I know I should finally get around to giving the kitchen island that makeover I’ve been talking about forever.
And I’m quite certain, when I’m thinking about all of this in the month of May, that I will accomplish all of those things and sooooooo much more! I mean, after all, summer break is 3 months long, right? That’s plenty of time to check them off my ‘I should’ list.
Then June rolls around and I’m so thrilled to be spending time with my kiddos. We’re going to the library and the farmer’s market. There’s swim camp and play-dates with friends. And just that glorious feeling of waking up in the morning and knowing that we really don’t have to be anywhere right away….or maybe not at all!
And I should start tackling some of those projects. Really, I should.
But, why would I organize my craft supplies when the kids could use them to make fairy houses?
And why would I sort through toys when I can hang out with Agatha Christie and a glass of wine out on our new deck?
Why would I spend weekends on making over the kitchen island when I could cheer on my son whose dream finally came true of being on the swim team?
Because here’s what else happens every year. I get to this point in the summer and realize that not only was I ca-razy to think that between all of the summertime comings and goings I would have chunks of time to get projects done, but also that I don’t even WANT to get projects done!
So, I’ve decided that my ‘I should’ list needs some tweaking. In fact, it needs to be thrown out and replaced with a brand new one.
Wanna know what’s on my new ‘I should’ list?
Well, I should let my daughter decorate her own birthday cake.
I should watch her playing in the sand and wish there were a pause button for my life so I could freeze this moment.
I should make sure to chronicle the progress being made on the tree house being built in Nonna and Poppa’s woods. It’s going to be awesome and magical and there are going to be some serious sleepovers happening up there!
I should be ready to come running when my girl says, “Hey Mommy, look what I’m doing!”
And then be ready to push her in her new contraption and laugh hysterically together at the sheer silliness of it all.
I will never look back and be glad that I spent these months organizing my craft supplies or cleaning out the playroom closet or even giving the kitchen island a makeover (but that will get done in the Fall!).
These moments, this summer, will never come again.
So, what I really should be be doing is embracing them. Drinking them in. Reveling in these precious, fleeting days.
Leaning my head back, closing my eyes and letting the warmth of the sun wash over me. Being still.
Now, that’s my kind of ‘I should’ list! How about you?
Thanks for that insightful, meaningful look at what is truly important. Those memories made will last a lifetime, but that organized craft room…well, you know
Pat
Vanessa…my children are grown and out of the house.
I so wish I could go back and do it all over again with this
exact mindset. Cherish every moment you can. The days
are sometimes very long, but the years go oh so fast! : )
Thank you so much Peg! I’m definitely trying hard to cherish them!
Beautiful. As a new empty nester, I treasure those summer memories I had with my girls. You can’t schedule those moments. They happen when they happen and what a blessing to be there for them. Enjoy! 🙂
Exactly!
. My five children are grown and have children of their own, so will be forwarding your post to them.
Ì recently heard a saying that captulizes raising children to me and is a great reminder to take these precious moments.
“The days are long but the years are short”.
That saying is so true Sally! Thank you! 🙂
Enjoy your summer, every moment of it!
I could not agree more! We have just finished the last day of school too and that leaves me with a 3rd and 6th grader. Where did the time go?! I am the queen of leaving messes and projects for another day while we make spontaneous runs to the library, to a favorite restaurant or the park. I always say our messes say we were here! We lived! We played games and had toys and puzzles and Legos! I am fully aware these days won’t last forever. I intend to enjoy them to the fullest!
Rachel I now have a 3rd grader and a 6th grader too!! We really do have to enjoy it to the fullest since it’s going so fast. Hope you have a truly wonderful, messy summer. 😉
I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THAT EMERSON QUOTE. A CAMERA IS A GREAT “PAUSE BUTTON” TO CAPTURE MEMORIES,
Yes yes yes! Embrace these moments with your children and husband! There will be plenty of time to organize, declutter, do projects when they are in college.
blessings from an empty-nester
Thank you so much Karen!
I love it when you follow your heart. They grow up way too fast and I am happy that you are choosing making memories over everything else. Have a great weekend making memories.
Thank you sweet friend!
Like button, push, push, push! Enjoy!!!
Thank you Sherry!
I SHOULD listen to my wise and insightful friend who shared her heart and, in the process, gave me the best advice that anyone has given me in a VERY long time! BRAVO! and hugs. xx
Awww…thanks so much Kimberly!! Blessings to you!
This is so timely. Thank you for sharing this post – just as I was beginning to compile my summer to-do list. All of those little ordinary moments are the biggest things in the world when we look back! Your post is a great reminder to re prioritize. I loved the beautiful photos you shared too. : )
Considering this is our older sons last year in HS, and Jack starting HS, this could not be more of words of truth spoken. Believe me, it happens all so fast. I feel so blessed that I have spent quality time and summers with the kids when I can. I still plan on it, even more so this summer. The closets an wait, and so can everything else.