We all go back, in our minds, to different moments of time. Happy times, sorrowful times, bittersweet times-doesn’t matter which-at some point they all call us back to them.
Lately my mind has fallen back to the days when Chatter and Chitter were smaller. Back to the days of wearing pantyhose on their head with their friend.
When I was an overwhelmed stay at home mom of 2 rambunctious girls who never for one moment stopped their business or their talking, I sometimes longed for the day they would grow up and give me some peace. One day when I was having a particularly hard day, Pap said “If all I had to do was stay home with 2 little jewels-I’d never complain.” Pap was right. Those days spent with my little jewels were without a doubt some of the best days of my life.
I suppose my mind has chosen to wander back to those days due to the ever increasing speed with which the girls are hurtling themselves towards adulthood. I recall thinking middle school was eons away-now I’m realizing high school will be here in the blink of an eye.
Gone are the days of wanting to be the best mud pie makers in the south-replaced with wondering who might ask them to the winter formal this year. I wish I could pinpoint the exact moment the change took place-but I can’t because its so gradual you don’t even notice. That’s how our mind works. Not remembering changes that link together like water in a stream-but drawing us back to times and events that stand out like beacons calling to us from the past.
I have an absolute jewel (to borrow Pap’s word) for this week’s Pickin’ & Grinnin’ In The Kitchen Spot. It’s Lamp Lighting Time In The Valley a beautiful song that talks about going back to a place in time.
I hope you enjoyed the great old song and the outstanding 2-part harmony. Leave me a comment and tell me what your mind has been drawing you back to lately.
Tipper
tipper i really loved this post.. when the air starts to cool.. and school time comes. i remember my two girls.. (only a year apart) with their excitement.. and footsteps on the wooden stairs of our house… and i long now.. for their noise and chatter.. its a lonely time.. and when we are young.. we wish for them to grow. so we can have time for ourselves.. isnt life strange?
as always i love the harmony of the guys… and would love for them to be right here with me.. singing đŸ™‚
sending much love and ladybug hugs
lynn
Well Tipper, you made me cry with this one. The girls are certainly growing up, as children do. I think that we don’t really want them not to grow up it’s just that we, or maybe I should say I, grieve for the loss of the wonder of our children all mixed up with the loss of wonder of the children we were! That is heavier than I want to think about so I just cry for the twins.
I love you. You’re such a good mother and the Deer Hunter is such a good father. The girls are lucky to have you both—and so am I!
Oh Tipper I couldn’t answer this right away because of the lump in my throat as I looked at your photos and read your words. I long for the little girl I lost even though she was all grown up with babies of her own. I am watching and loving every single moment of her babies as well as my other grand babies now knowing how quickly time flies. Thank you for such a beautiful post.
I so know how you feel~ My kids are now 21, 18, and 16. A year or so ago, my husband and I had gone into Portland and were in Target. I went into the restroom where two 6 and 7 year old sisters were teasing each other. I came out of the bathroom with tears running down my cheeks with the missing of my little girls who were all grown-up…
Tipper: How beautiful was this post and what great pictures of the girls. This has really been my week, I received a friendly blogger award, I was honored to open Sky Watch with a picture / poem and now you mention me with a song. The men did a great job on the song and I’m so happy to have found your site. I listened to the song 5 times, is that to much? LOL
My grand children continue to grow and the oldest grandson who was always with me on the boat is now 13 and too busy with school golf and getting ready for 8th grade. In my own life I’m moving quickly toward retirement, which I think is a great thing.
Thanks again for the song and thinking of me.
I love the pictures of your girls lost in play. So many children today don’t know how to play. Their imaginations are fried by television, video games, etc.
You are such a great mom!
Blessings,
Lacy
Beautiful post! My thoughts are too scattered right now to think back or think forward, just survive the moment. đŸ™‚ But I will think on this; it’s always bittersweet to remember past times and I think I’m just naturally a bit resistant to change, it’s a little fearsome for me. Blessings to you today.
Oh my gosh! Your girls are so cute! They look just like you in your picture on the top left…great post!
Awww….very nice :). Have a great weekend!
Hello Tipper! What a heartfelt post. Another friend and I were just talking about this very idea. Tears and joy welled while we were reminiscing. Reminds me of the song “Bookends” by Simon & Garfunkel. “Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph. Protect your memories…” Because that’s what memories are for, to relive what you’ve lived. Am sure Chitter and Chatter will be reassuring you that there is no one more important than their Mama. And your family singing “It’s Lamp Lighting Time in the Valley” was so beautiful. The tears are coming again. Where’s the box of tissues?!
Hi Tipper,
Great post.
Our oldest cat got sick this week. We’re not sure what will eventually happen but the vet isn’t ready to give up on the old guy and neither are we. I’ve been thinking back when he was a kitten and my then 2nd grade little girl was in love for the first time in her life. She used to take him and push him around the block (we were city then) in a doll stroller and he let her. She’s having a hard time knowing she might not see him again (she’s in Va) and I’m dealing with a little girl’s heartache in a grown womens body. It seems like yesterday and yet eighteen years have gone by. Time passes quickly when we least expect it.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts today.
Your girls photos were really sweet.
I’m always drawn back at the beginning of school each year. They grow up so terribly fast. It makes me sad. Kirsten at http://www.tollipop.com posted about this today too. Must be in the air.
I can so relate, Tipper. My kids are both now grown, and I find myself looking at pictures of them when they were small, wishing I could have them that age again, if only for a day. Remembering when I was the most important part of their universe, when grubby little hands brough “Mommy” a bouquet of picked wildflowers, and when sweet little arms reached up from their bed to pull me down to kiss them goodnight, smelling fresh from their baths. Such memories are like a slideshow in my mind. Sigh.
Time is elusive isn’t it? I really enjoyed your words and thoughts here. They were beautiful and heartfelt.
Tipper, Those girls are growing so far. I have never asked, are they twins? Yiou will soon be trading quilting fabric for formal fabric.
I got tears in my eyes in church Sunday when I saw my niece and her parents. Knowing that the next day they would be taking her off to her first year at college. Makes me think of the year BT and I did that for Sarah. Now she is grown and living out on her own. How I miss having her at home.
The beginning of school is always hard for me. Makes me miss the kids when they were school age, rather it be grade school, high school or college.
Osagebluffquilter
seems only yesterday, my youngest was just a babe in my arms and now i long for december when his babe will be with us for a month…we are going to have so much fun with victoria! who will almost be 8 and mikko will be 31!
Thank you so much, Tipper! It did indeed warm my heart and bring a smile to my face.
I’m remembering friendships and earth angels gone heavenward.
Everytime I come here it’s like I’m being called back home to wholesome food cooking in the kitchen and friends sharing the good life of just being. I adore the guys in these segments and keep playing their songs over and over in my head even after I am off the computer. Can’t help it … good music does that to you.
I know what you mean about the girls growing up so fast too. Even though I have no children of my own, my favorite niece is getting her Master’s Degree in Graphic Artistry at Pratt College in New York. I just can’t believe she’s not still the little girl I used to teach to make things with construction paper, legos, or play doh. The same little girl who used to put blue pearls around her beagle’s neck and call “him” a princess. Those were the days of laughter and make believe, but those moments are forever captured in my heart.
Thanks, Tipper, for always taking me back. xxoo
Right now I am a little sad because my baby just started middle school. I am missing my days of middle school. Watching him go, brings so many memories.
Oh, the time is going! I knew it would, but I just couldn’t imagine how fast. Now I stay home with just one little girl. When it is no little girls, I won’t be able to keep up with how fast time passes. I know it. I dread it. But it will be wonderful, too. “Hurtling toward adult-hood.” It seems next to impossible when I have a 4-year-old, but I know she is.
My 32 year old baby is expecting his 3rd baby – a little boy. So I am remembering his childhood. He was a bit of a surprise but I’ve always told him that we didn’t know we needed him but God knew we needed him. And that’s exactly what he said when he and his wife discovered they were having a 3rd. I’m remembering the contentment of nursing a newborn, the fun of collecting fall leaves with a 4 year old, the excitement of watching him play Little League baseball and the absolute fear I had of the high school football field. I wasn’t sad the day he drove away to take himself to college (he insisted!) but I confess to a few tears when he got married knowing I had been replaced in his life. But all of that pales when I see him holding the hands of his two girls and when I think of this little boy coming. blessings, marlene
This is so wonderful! It so reminds me of my Mama. My people are from Central City, Ky so I know of some of the things you talk about. God Bless ya,ll.
OH, Im like you. Ive been kinda sad about how fast my boys are growing up. Austin will be in 4th grade, Brogan in 2nd and little Ean will 1 in 2 weeks. There just never seems to be enough time for it all. I just want to keep the snuggling days forever!