My how time flies....

There is an old saying "Time flies when you are having fun."  I can't argue with it that, but I do think there is so much more to add to that statement.  Time absolutely flies when you are having fun.  All you have to do is look at your kids, or even remember back to your own childhood.  Just when you are in the middle of having the best time of your life, it is time to go home.  I can remember being devastated at the words "It's time to go now!"  My granddaughters do not handle it any better.  The shocked and  painful looks on their faces when it is time for the fun to end, says it all.

But I have also noticed that time absolutely races by along with the years.  I know this probably makes me a little weird, but I can always loved the first day of school after summer break.  I would get so excited about getting my supplies ready, picking out what to wear, seeing my friends again.  It seemed like the day would never come. The night before school seemed to last forever!  And then poof!  I had graduated from high school and then from college.  I got my first job.  I moved away from home.  I met Doc and we were married. 

I can remember panicking before the wedding when I realized that this was to be for the rest of my life!  I was having trouble getting my head wrapped around heading down the aisle and even making it to the first anniversary!  May I just interject something off topic here?  I have said this numerous times, and believe me it has nothing to do with marrying Doc.  I was madly in love with him the day we married and I still am.  Time has flown, but not always because it was so much fun.  Marriage takes a lot of work, cooperation, willingness to give in sometimes.  We started out on a rocky road.  The wedding itself was painful for me.  I hate pictures and guess what, when you are the bride, you are in almost EVERY picture.  It was awful!!!  The honeymoon didn't start much better.  We decided to drive to Cape Cod.  No reservations, no plans, just two free spirits on the road with a map.  Ahh, the map!  My dad taught me to read a map when I was old enough to read.  Doc would drive and have me read the map.  I would tell him which way to turn and he would do the opposite because it "just felt like the ocean was in that direction."  Remember these were the days before GPS and compasses in your car. I believe I threw the map at him.  It was a little trying at the time, but we laugh about it now. 

Then kids came along and the years started to speed up.  "Mommy" was born and before I could blink she was off to school, followed in rapid succession by the next five.  As hard as you try to stop time, it continues on and it seems to go faster and faster.  Believe me, raising the kids is the hardest job I have ever done.  It was filled with laughter, but also had its share of tears, anger, grounding, food disputes, boyfriend and girlfriend disputes!  And now just as I turned around they are all adults.  Only one left in college.  Three are married. Two are engaged and two are hanging around, which I am VERY grateful for.  I used to laugh when Calvin told me he would always hold my hand even when he grew up.  I knew he wouldn't, but it was nice to hear.  I used to tease back when "Pook" told me that he wasn't leaving, and that he and his wife would live with me.  I would tell him not to threaten his mother, but he wasn't too far off.  They are our neighbors!  The Surprise still tells me he is moving back home after college to spend all day every day with me baking cookies.  I don't think he realizes that I don't bake now and never really did.  What makes him think I am going to start now?

My babies are getting married and having babies of their own.  Five grandchildren and one on the way.  Time flies.  Sunday, Doc and I celebrated our 34th anniversary.  There was a time when I would have been angry about not getting a gift or spoiled.  This year, I was happy to soak up the blessings of the day, enjoy time with my husband and family.  It has been a whirlwind of years.  Lots of activity, certainly a tremendous amount of laughter and love, disappointments, tears, losses.  It all blends together and makes me smile.  It is life.  Time certainly flies.  Please treasure it!