Time is the wisest counselor of all. ~Pericles

The other week I was at the Easton Branch Library; it was a Wednesday evening and the library was preparing for story time. It seemed like yesterday that I was sitting with 13-month old Kevin as Librarian Janet pulled out her guitar and started story time by singing “I’m in the mood for stories.” Kevin loved the stories and the music, and it was a nice social hour for my husband and me.

A few things had changed since our last story time: Janet had retired, and story time moved to a larger area of the library. I walked over to the whimsical art display I call “Book Spine Shelf” and gently rubbed my hand up and down the spine “Storytime for Kevin and Connor Lynch” I had commissioned. I got a bit sentimental remembering the days I sat on the floor for story time holding my squirming toddler and infant son in my lap waiting for story time to begin.

As a young girl, I was always looking ahead. I could not wait until I was old enough to babysit. I could not wait until I was old enough to drive. I couldn’t wait to get a job, to go off to college, and to get married. I was always wishing and dreaming of the future. My mom always told me to stop rushing and just enjoy the moment because life flies by in the blink of an eye. I would roll my eyes as young teens often do.

After Kevin was born, my mom told me: “Enjoy breathing in his baby smell. Enjoy the tickles. Enjoy the laughter. It will go by in the blink of an eye.” Those first few years were exhausting, but my mom was right: those years flew by.

When Connor was born, my mom reminded me: “Take lots of photos. Enjoy the cuddles. It goes by in the blink of an eye.” My mom was right again: those years flew by.

I remember crying after I dropped Kevin off at kindergarten. My mom consoled me and reminded me to enjoy the elementary school years. “There will be bake sales, PTA meetings, and field trips. Just enjoy it, Karen – it goes by in the blink of an eye.” No matter what I did, time continued to creep up on me. Now Kevin is a sophomore in high school and Connor is in middle school.

When I talk to my children or see young mothers I find myself reaching for the same words my mom used to say: “It goes by in the blink of an eye!” my heart reminding me that I blinked.