Ice cream cones on a hot day, or popsicles on the porch.
Cool, quiet afternoons picking out books at the library.
Road trips to the water park.
And playing in the rain!
They say there are approximately 7,000 days a child lives in your home before they leave the nest and head out on their own. 7,000 short, fleeting days. It’s true that somewhere in that time I’ll be required to cook, clean, and work to keep things afloat, but I pray that it’s never my main focus while they’re around. It’s easy to forget how fast time flies. I try and remind myself to cherish it more, to spend it in a quality way, and to build the joy, wonder, and hearts of those tiny people of whom I am in charge.
This summer, especially for what remains of it, I vow to play more, and pick up less. I vow to laugh more freely, loosen up the reigns, and simply enjoy the blessings all around me. Amazing the things you see more clearly when you slow down and pay attention. I vow to stop and see, to smile and be, and to lead my children happily.
Who’s with me?
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This article originally appeared at BrieGowen.com.
