Wade was napping in his bed. David and I were taking advantage of the toddler-free time and playing Wii together.
As David took his turn I glanced out the window. The sun was shining. The sky was blue, clear and free of clouds. I noticed that the light looked different though. It wasn’t the bright, hard light of spring. In July, where we live, the sun hits at a different angle causing the light to soften as it filters through the trees and illuminates the grass. It always reminds me that even though it’s just the beginning of summer the days are already getting shorter, that too soon warm summer nights will give way to cool fall evenings, and even cooler winter days.
“Summer is already on it’s way out, and it’s just begun. We should relish these warm days,” I thought.
Then I looked at back at David who was laughing and dancing around, “I kicked your butt Mom! Ha! Let’s go again. You’re going down!” Nothing delights David more than soundly beating me at Wii.
“When did he get so big,” I asked myself silently. As the light looks different now so does David. He’s tall, tan and lean. Though only six and a half I can see the beginnings of an adolescent bursting forth. There are muscles developing where there once was baby fat. The features in his face are more defined. He would rather trounce me at virtual bowling than snuggle on my lap.
Then my previous thought echoed in my head. “We should relish these days.” These days together as a family. These sweet days when the kids are young. Like the warm season, these days are quickly passing. How many more long summers are left frolicking in the back yard, playing at the beach, riding bikes in the driveway?
Summer must end to bring the fall. Winter must come to bring life again in the spring. So must our children grow to bloom and begin their own life. It’s the goal we work toward even as we wish we could slow down time.
I’m in the midst of the summer of my childrens’ youth. I want to relish it like a warm summer night lingering until the last ray of light disappears over the horizon.