Yesterday I had an opportunity to spend some time with my baby. Okay, he’s not really a baby…he’s 17….but he’ll always be my baby. My last born child is a very unique individual. He’s shy, reserved, empathetic, easy-going, smart, sweet, creative, thoughtful, polite, fiercely protective of his siblings, and he’s really, really funny. Sometimes I have to listen intently to catch his humor! This boy is quickly growing into a young man….and I mean right before my eyes.
We spent the evening in easy conversation, about school, friends, relationships, and family. As we were laughing about something from the past, he said I should talk more about my past…about when I as young. That made me a little sad…. It didn’t really occur to me, until then, that I haven’t really shared a lot from my past with my kids. Why is this? I don’t think I’ve ever told them about my strawberry roan appaloosa that I had in junior high, and how I rode her bareback most of the time so I could feel just how powerful she was. I haven’t told them about the hay houses I would make in the hay barn and dream about the home I would one day have, filled with children. I haven’t shared how I had a tree house in my favorite tree (that I used to sit in prior to my tree house), and how I would sit in that special place and read for hours in the summertime. I’m not sure they know that I grew up without air conditioning….oh my! can you imagine that?! Do they know that I’ve always loved fairy tales….not the Snow White kind, but real fairy tales….with little flying fairies with delicate wings, flower hats, and moss-topped houses? I still do…so much so, that when I see certain landscape view (like out by the creek) I imagine the little fairy village strategically placed within the fallen logs and hollowed out trees. I’m not sure why I keep my dreams and memories so locked away….perhaps it’s because I think that I’ll be perceived as silly. I’m slowly beginning to realize that I need to share these things with my family….if I don’t, I risk them never knowing me….really knowing me.
For now, I will cherish every moment I am able to capture with each one of my children. After all, life is fleeting….and we are encouraged to live it to it’s fullest. God made us to live and to build each other up, and to make memories of our wonderful time that we are given on this earth. And sharing those memories lets others see your heart…
~Devery
p.s. leave me a note to let me know you were here….if you’d like 🙂