Holding

I was able to hold each of my daughters in my arms today and pause to enjoy that precious sensation. I wonder how much longer I will be able to say that? The "big girls" and I went to see Ramona and Beezus this afternoon. During the course of the movie, Sophie made her way out of her seat and into my lap. There she sat for the next hour, wrapped warm and safe in my embrace. Later in the evening, Chloe came into the kitchen asking for popcorn and a hug... This is a rare request (the hug, not the popcorn). So, I took the opportunity not only to hug her but to lift her into my arms as well. She wrapped her arms and legs around me and laid her head on my shoulder. I asked her, "When did you get so big?! How did you grow so fast?!" (I'm sure that it was not the first time I've asked her those questions and probably not the last.) I held her there and hugged her close. Finally, I sat in the nursery reading bedtime stories to Charlotte and rocking her to sleep tonight. I love to watch her drift off, snuggled close. It's one of my favorite times in the whole day. As we rocked, I reflected once again (maybe for the millionth time) on how brief our time will be with our children. I mean, I know we have a lifetime to spend with them, but the years when they will be living here at home with us are really quite brief. In fact, the entire parenting process is designed to work toward separation. From the moment of conception, the bodies of mother and child begin working for the end goal of birth which separates the two for the first time. Then for the next 18+ years, parents must work to prepare their children to live separate from their home. These musings could leave me more than a little blue... Or, they could cause me to delight in every minute that I have with these wonderful gifts from God. I choose the latter (at least for today). I wish I could slow down these days rushing by, but since I cannot, I will keep holding my children and holding on to every hug and cuddle and quiet moment we are given together.