Paper Chains

When Elizabeth and Nick were little, we made paper chains together when we were counting down to something. “13 more days until our trip” “8 days until we see Gram and PopPop” “24 more days until your birthday.” It helped them learn about calendars and how long a day is (the span of time between two “link rips”). Plus, they were fun to put together and made our breakfast nook look festive.

The days of needing a chain are long gone and, frankly, I am glad about it. Life is moving so quickly these days and, while I am naturally wired for countdowns, I don’t want to squander in-the-now moments by anticipating (or worrying about) what is next. This Summer, as I was contemplating Elizabeth’s senior year, I promised myself that I would not countdown.

This has been very tricky, especially the week so many of our friends were dropping their students off for Freshman year. That Sunday, as I hugged one young friend goodbye and wished her all the best, I thought, “Oh, no. Only 52 more Sundays.” Then, that night at bedtime, “Only 364 more good-night hugs.” Dang. I re-promised myself, “No counting down.” The next Sunday, “51” popped into my head and I swatted at it as though it were a whack-a-mole.

Now that we are well into October, I’ve lost count of the Sundays and I am in the “ignorance is bliss” stage. I love it.To be sure, there will come a day when I can no longer avoid the countdown and I trust that God will give me everything I need on that day. I am aware that the journey of parenting is about teachable moments (for them and for me) and that ages and stages pass and give way to new ones that are, unbelievably, richer and more amazing than the ones before. Just as I look back on the days of construction paper chains with tenderness, I feel certain that one day, I will look back on these days and say, “Aww, that was good, but I wouldn’t trade it for what we have now.”

(please, God, let me be right about this)

via Paper Chains.