Politely I nod back in response to both acknowledge the sentiment and try to mask own my disbelief. ‘Grow up fast?’ It never seems fast enough during the trying times of parenting.
I wonder if boarding school or boot camp would make the time fly quicker?
But I know that her intent is to remind me that the arduous times will pass too. And to try not to lose sight of the little hands behind the messy finger paints.
I’m reminded of a conversation I had with a customer service representative who came on the line just as my son started to drill me loudly with questions, having been quietly playing independently all the while I waited on hold. The service rep couldn’t help but hear him in the background demanding my attention. “I remember those days!” she chuckled. “He was quiet until a moment ago of course” I laughed back in my exasperation. Our conversation continued while I placed my order and then she paused and offered “A friend once shared about parenting, ‘These are the longest days and the shortest years.’” Then I paused too. How true it is.
How I wish the moments of soft-cheeked kisses and little voices singing in the house were longer and the trials of parenting shorter. But time flies regardless and in a blink the kids are grown. Years from now when I overhear another woman share “They grow up so fast” with a mom fraught in a parenting moment I hope I don’t weep too loudly.
They grow up fast. Far too fast.
