If you could go backwards or forwards in time, would you? Which way? What year or time period? Where geographically? Why did you choose that time and place?
My aunt wrote a lovely piece about going to church with her family when she was small, and I adored reading her memories about her mom and dad (my grandparents), especially since her dad died when she was young. After I read her memories, I pondered the prompt myself. What time period would I enjoy going to?
Backward to my own childhood, full of beautiful memories and happiness? Forward to see my children and grandchildren many years from now? Backward to a specific historic event? But while these would all be meaningful, I kept coming back to another time: when my own children were little.
Having big kids (and almost-big kids) is fabulous! I've blogged time and again about how wonderful parenting teens and young adults is proving to be. But I cannot tell a lie. My heart still pines for some things that are behind us now, and oh how much I'd love to catch some glimpses of those days again. In no particular order, moments I'd love to revisit:
- baby snuggles: Even in the middle of the night, while sleep deprived! Oh how I'd love to cuddle my babes, smell their baby scent and kiss those velvety cheeks.
- toddler laughter: I'm so thankful I teach preschoolers, because I still am able to hear and soak in the euphoria of a toddler or preschooler. How I'd love to hear my little ones cracking up over their own jokes, the hilarity of a zoo animal or while having their tummy tickled.
- wrestling: This still happens here, and I'm super glad it does. It was a little different back then, though, and I'd love to hear my husband announce "Switch ON!" and hear the squeals of delight as all the kids tackled daddy.
- firsts: First steps, first baths, first words, first day of school. So many exciting moments when you're small!
- holding hands: While I am still grateful to have one child young enough to hold hands with her mamma, I miss the days when my two hands weren't enough. I recall walking ahead of my children and putting my hands out behind me, palms to the rear, and knowing that within seconds, both my hands would be filled with a chubby little hand.
- Speaking of, chub: Oh, the chubby little legs, hands, cheeks, and arms. How I would love to stroke a chubby little cheek again or change a diaper with chubby thighs wiggling everywhere.
- Bible stories and prayers: We still do both now, but I'd love to go back to the crazy bedtimes, full of wiggles and prayers only little ones can dream up, but sincere nonetheless.
- I love yous: Again, I am so thankful that my kids still tell me they love me, but how I'd love to hear a little voice proclaiming it, with such euphoria. Or to hear one of my sons say, as he so often did: "I love you, little mommy!"
I know those days were hard. They were often really, really hard. But they were also wonderful, and I enjoyed them so much, even amidst the exhaustion and angst I sometimes felt. And as I said earlier, each subsequent stage has been full of its own beauty and wonder. Perhaps, if I pondered this question again in 10-15 years, I'd be anxious to come back to the this very time I'm in now -- of tweens, teens and young adults and everyone (mostly) at home.
But for today, I'm content in reminiscing about those early years, when things felt a bit simpler and oh-so-precious.
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