When I Grow Up

Here it is Saturday already. This whole week has just flown by. It seems the older I get the faster time passes. I remember when I was a kid it seemed that time stood still and I would never “grow up.” I remember thinking that when I grew up, I was going to do things different than what my parents did and I made all of these lists of things that I wasn’t going to do “when I grow up.”

“When I grow up, I’m not going to put out a garden and kill myself working in it like my dad did.” It wasn’t 2-years after I got married that I was longing for that old garden. I put out one of the biggest gardens you have ever seen. I was out working in it every day for hours on end and enjoying every minute of it. I did that for several years until we moved and didn’t have a good spot for a garden. I tried making one here but there are so many rocks in the ground that I tore my tiller up trying to work the ground.

“When I grow up, I’ll never drink that nasty coffee like my dad does.” Yet, here I sit this morning working on my second cup full. I’ve been drinking coffee for the past 10-years and I can’t imagine life without it. (Although my doctor claims that my life would be better if I would stop drinking it, but what does he know?)

“When I grow up, I’m not going to go to church all the time like my parents.” Did I mention that I am the music minister and Sunday school teacher at my church? Have I mentioned that on the average I spend 8-hours a week at church?

“When I grow up, I’m not going to have any kids, I am so sick of them!” Yet, today I have 3 of the best kids in the whole world. I love them more than anything and can’t imagine my life without them. My heart is already breaking knowing that they are growing up way too fast and will be gone before I know it. My oldest daughter is going to turn 16 this coming February. I was engaged at the age of 16-years old. She is NOT ready for that kind of commitment (and well, neither was I.) My son (the middle kid like I was) is growing taller every time I look at him. He is the smartest kid that I have ever known. He has more book knowledge right now at the age of 11 than I do at 42. My sweet little Liz, only 8-years old but talking with boys on the phone and acting so grown up. I want to take my hand and push down on their heads and keep them from growing any more.

Well, this wasn’t my usual from the bench blogging, but just what I had on my mind this beautiful, cool, September morning. I guess I’ll go back in the house, refill my coffee cup and see if the kids are awake yet. Happy Saturday!