Between hormones and happenings, I’ve been such a cry baby the last few days! 🙂 Thursday was the last day of school and Friday was the “Big Stage” Dance recital. Both of these events celebrated 10 months of learning AND the ENDING of yet another year of childhood. Why is it that when I was little, I thought time crawled and I would never grow up? But now, I watch my children and grandchildren grow by leaps and bounds and my birthdays seem to be just around the corner? Maybe Bethie has the right name for the recital. Maybe life is really about moving from one BIG STAGE event to the next.
Joshua picked up Finley at one school while I picked up Amy and Bethany at another. I went in to thank the teachers and aides for the great year they had given Beth. Everyone was in tears. Hugging their teachers, hugging their friends and saying goodbye until the fall. It wasn’t long until I had caught the misty eyed disease! Bethany said, “Mommy! Be happy!” I complied and pulled myself together still meditating on the mega changes that are happening. “I just can’t believe Amy is going into 4th, Bethany into 5th and Finley will be a 1st grader!!!! Then we got home and it hit Bethany. She laid her head on the table and began to cry in earnest. “I miss my teachers and friends. I sad! I need them!” yup- you guessed it- I sweetly smiled and said, “Bethany- be happy!” 🙂
Fortunately, the girls recovered and merrily enjoyed the rest of their day playing while I stayed in my little cloud of nostalgic sadness. Then came Friday! The feverpitch for the recital was almost unbearable! Bethany went to the hallway mirror and practiced her routines. We washed, curled hair, and primped. I ran to Walmart to get some bouquets and as I was trying to sneak them in the house Bethany saw them. She quickly covered her eyes and shouted to me, “Don’t look Bethany! Don’t look Bethany.”
Every 15 minutes or so, Bethany would come and say, “Mom, I ready to go.”
I would sigh and explain “It’s not time yet, Bethany.”
slight pause- then “Mom- Are you sure?”
Finally the time came to get to the Big Stage an hour early to get at the head of the line so we could get a total of 23 seats together! (big families have challenges I’m telling you.) The recital was a resounding success! Beth, Finley, and Amy danced superbly (and I’m not prejudiced 🙂 ) The evening ended with congratulations and pics, flowers and trophies. Then off to Orange Leaf for frozen yogurt. Bedtime didn’t come until 11:00 pm and I thought- Thank God it’s Saturday tomorrow!
[slideshow id=5] WAIT for it! Wait for it! The pics above are a slide show!!! Click on pics to go faster 🙂
As I’ve cried and smiled, laughed and sniffled through the roller coaster of events the last three days, I realize afresh how important- no, NECESSARY it is – to stop and smell the rose- even if you do happen to get pricked by the thorns! Inhale deeply and absorb those moments- sad ones, happy ones, laughing ones, tearful ones. This is our LIFE JOURNEY. I don’t want to miss one moment of it! For my Chinese friends- 生活是宝
What about you? Tell me I’m not the only one who cries at endings! How have you embraced life and smelled the roses this week?
Surprising Treasures: “So I commend the enjoyment of life , because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV
Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I rarely get emotional about endings. I am always looking forward to the new beginnings. I don’t know…maybe I am weird that way. LOL
Nothing wrong with you Lori! I think that’s awesome! I’m learning :)!! You encourage me friend!
I understand completely. These past few weeks have been very similar for me. I recieved a message reminding me that this would be my ten year anniversayr since graduating high school. I couldn’t believe the time has passed so quickly. I cried as I sat through kindergarten graduation, knowing that next year my baby girl would be on that stage. I can’t be that old, right? As
I watch my baby boy grow I try to embrace each moment knowing that unless God has a different plan he is my las child. There is nothing wrong with being emotional when things come to an end. Just know that with God our future is always bright.
Ah Karyn! Hugs- I think the key is what you said “I try to embrace each moment knowing God has a plan” for each of our children- first or last! Our future is in His hands – for sure!
Kindred spirit sister – you know I cry at endings, milestones and the like. Perhaps that’s why I “save” so much that others (who enjoy less cluttered lives) toss out. I want time to slow down so we can hang on to those precious keepsake moments. Life is such a treasure, it’s hard to watch it slipping through our fingers! That’s how I feel, anyway 🙂 Thank God for giving us memories, stored away to replay many times over the years – and photo albums!
Life is such a treasure- Your line reminds me of a song my mom used to love, sung by the Gaithers- We Have This Moment- and it said-“We have this moment to hold in our hands and to watch as it slips through our fingers like sand…yesterdays gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today.” Love you Edy <3
Thanks for reminding me of that song, Cindy! Precious moments – gifts from the One whose presence is Present tense! 🙂
Milestones like the end of a school year and Bethany’s annual “Big Stage” are huge for Clan Barclay. These are our markers, signposts. My challenge however, is to not take these events for granted. Things are always going so fast I need to learn to camp and celebrate much more than I do.
Another example- today is Memorial Day- we are going with my father-in-law to the WWI Memorial in Kansas City. Chuck’s father and his uncles and other family members fought in this so-called “war to end all wars.” Chuck is a WWII vet. My father was a Korean War vet and dad is already gone. I want to camp and celebrate this event with Chuck today.
I have been saving your Treasures for a time when I could sit with a cup of coffee and not be hurried or rushed…it has been months since I have found time to scroll all you have shared.
Precious. All of it. Thank you, for being transparent so others and learn and grow. What a gift this is to all who read.
Much love and thankfulness for the Barclay family.
Love you so much Pam! You are a treasure! isn’t God so amazing in His plans and purposes! One day- we’ll have all the time we need to fellowship and praise Him!