I love Joplin. I just do.  We went to the high school football game this evening, and the stadium was sprinkled with people that will put a smile on your face.  The weather was gorgeous and the aroma of the concession stand was nostalgic. 

I looked down into the student section, and there stood my man child cheering on the Eagles.  Our daughter was just rows ahead of him “talking” (in case you don’t know, this means that they might possibly be interested in each other) with a boy.

It feels like it was only yesterday that I sat in their same exact spot somewhere in the early 90’s. My husband and I began discussing this as he was there in the late 80’s. The SAME spot!  As we sat through the game, kids that were in my kid’s preschool classes and elementary classes were making touchdowns, throwing beautiful passes, playing in the band, cheering and dancing at half time.  What?? They should be like 4 feet tall.

It was all in a blink of an eye.  It’s funny how it doesn’t feel like it goes so fast when you are knee deep in diapers and playing barbies.  That stage feels way longer.  But this?  I want the time to stop.  I want to freeze this moment in time. 

Now, it’s not fun all of the time.  We have the typical teenager stuff, but who cares.  These little people we have raised and love with all of our hearts have amazing personalities.  They have hopes and dreams and are excited about what is around the bend. I enjoy our conversations, and my heart skips a happy beat when I hear them walk in the door at the end of the day.

I’ve been struggling lately with them leaving.  It’s getting closer and closer, and I’ve almost gone into denial mode.  I keep saying to myself, “You have another 2 years… you have another year…” We all know how fast it’s going to slip away.

But, I heard something great the other night that helped me.  And, maybe if you are having a hard time this will help you as well.  I’m embarrassed to say my source was not from a parenting book.  It was from Dancing with the Stars – great show.  One of the contestants said, “I will not focus on what I’m losing.  I will be grateful for what I had.”  That knocked my socks off.

When I start getting sad, I will be so grateful that God has given me my precious people.  I will thank Him that He chose me to be their mom.  I will embrace every second we have left. I will also say to myself, “You have one more year.”