What I Would Have Said

My girlies from a by-gone era ...

Yesterday I had the privilege of seeing two dear friends.  Our paths crossed only briefly.  I've known these girls for several years.  Now, they have babies and busy lives and I'm scratching my head wondering when did I walk out of the stage of life they are now living?

This morning these girls are on my mind.  Our paths don't cross on a regular basis but they are etched in my heart.  This morning I've spent some time talking with my Father about them and for them and am left with a lingering "I wish I could say something" to them kind of feeling.

When babies cry and noses run and bo bo's bleed and carpet gets stained, it's so easy to forget the focus of these days.  Time and sleep are precious treasures.  Etching out one moment for yourself seems like a modern day miracle.  Having enough energy to settle in on who you are and who you are becoming seems to high a price to pay in relation to the priorities of little ones' needs.

Yesterday, I wanted to hold my friends' hands and tell them:
"Remember, these are the precious days.  These are the days that will captivate your heart when these babies grow up and out of your house.  Try to not sweat the things that don't matter.  Try to hold on to the first steps and spontaneous smiles and cracker smudged faces and cozy snuggles.  Remember the truth of who you are and who these days are allowing you to become.  Send up arrows of prayers to One who created you for this moment.  Arrows of thanks, of desperation, of secret smiles, of captured moments, of direction and redirection.  These arrows keep you flying straight.  When you loose it, join the club.  Just start again.  It's not a set back as much as a reality check.  Your humanness keeps you humble.  Your Spirit reminds you of who you really are."

I love the club that initiates its members by giving birth.  Members pay a high price to join.  It's worth it ... every step ... is worth it.  Hold on young Mommas!

From one remembering the holding,
christina