Living in the moment

Living in the moment is not a new thing to me. I'm not talking about the kind of "living in the moment" perspective that throws caution to the wind and cause more harm. I'm talking about a different kind of living that was again brought to my mind when reading an email from Jill Savage of "Hearts at Home". Jill said, "We focus on what's next instead of what's now. We get caught up in the chaos, instead of the beauty. We long for what we don't have, instead of seeing all that we do have. "In the MOMent" is all about being fully present in the motherhood season that you are in. So rather than "wishing she would sleep through the night," thank God for the precious moments of quiet you have as you feed her each night. Pray for her future spouse. Notice her little nose. Moments like this won't last forever." I have an index card on my bathroom mirror that says not to wish away these young years because someday I will miss them. So, when I wonder what Seth is going to be like as a 10 year old or wistfully think about what it will be like to wake up in the morning without having to beckoned to the room next door to change a diaper or take a little one out of their crib, I think about all the things I will miss: - Spending 20 minutes every morning cuddling with Seth in his chair. Someday that chair will be moved out of his room to accomodate different furniture. - Changing the 5th diaper of the day and playing the Itsy Bitsy Spider up Seth's legs. Someday Seth will be too busy playing outside and totally self-sufficient where he doesn't need help. He will find other things that will make him laugh and he will think his Mama's humor is out of date. - Seth's innocent wide-eyed surprise at a ball that he is able to catch. Or a tower of blocks that he knocks over that makes a ton of noise. Or an "Uh-oh!" when the ball unexpectedly rolls right through his legs. - Seth's imagination and simple belief that Pooh Bear (on his toothbrush) and Thomas the Train (on his toothpaste) are so excited for him to come brush his teeth. I hope I never forget the wide-eyed look of surprise and open-mouthed "Oh!" when something catches him off-guard, delights him or surprises him. Can I brag a little bit that he recognizes words like "Mama", "Papa", and "Seth" when they are written out? He is learning his letters! It's amazing to see him digest these new things. It's hard not for me to wonder and imagine what this little boy is going to be like when he grows up - as a child, as a pre-teen and as a teen. Seth is so easy-going, delighted, compliant (for the most part) and full of happy fun. But I don't want to spend too much time and emotional energy wondering. I need to use this energy and time cuddling and hugging Seth, making him laugh, showing him new things and bringing new experiences to him. Oh, I love this little boy so much! Thank you, God, for letting me be Seth's Mama.