My New Happy: If Every Day Was Last Saturday

Thursday, October 9, 2014

If Every Day Was Last Saturday


There have been many times in my children's lives where I wished I could freeze them right where they were.  Keep them that age, and enjoy the same day forever, like Groundhog Day.

As six month old babies - so snuggly and warm, full of smiles and developing their own personality. As eight year old boys - rough and tumble, sweet and energetic, still thinking mom and dad are the smartest people ever.

And now, as older teenagers - intelligent and thoughtful, fun to be around, talented and with so much promise ahead.

Last Saturday was one of those days I wish I could do over and over.  

My younger son runs cross country, and his team hosts a meet every year called the "Twilight Invitational".  Over sixty schools from around the state converge on our local golf course for divisional 5K runs, and it's a big party that lasts all day.


The finish line with blow up arches.

The day started off cloudy and cool, but my hubby had made chili and hot dogs for the team, so they didn't mind!

Five hours to go until the boys varsity race!
By the time T's race started, the clouds had parted and we were treated to the most beautiful fall evening.  To top it off, T ran his fastest 5K ever, beating his previous personal record by over 30 seconds.



When it got dark, the kids gathered for one final "open" run.  There were light up arches and towers all around the course, and the athletes were dressed in costumes and glow in the dark accessories.  



As I watched hundreds of teenagers running around, full of youthful energy and excitement, I felt a little sad.  I don't have many days like this one left.  I was wishing it could be frozen in time, exactly as it was, for me to experience again and again.

But then I flashed to a cartoon my boys used to watch when they were little.  It was called "The Fairly Odd Parents", and in one particular episode little Timmy was granted a wish.  He decided he wanted it to be Christmas every day.  It was magical and exciting for a while, but then everyone started getting tired of Christmas.  It wasn't special anymore.

Even though it was wonderful, I know it can't be last Saturday every day.  I feel like time is going too fast, but it's moving in the direction it's supposed to go.  These special moments wouldn't be so special if they happened every day.  

And even though there won't be another day exactly like that one, I know many more special moments are waiting, moments I will want to freeze and savor.

I still wouldn't mind going back for a day and snuggling those babies again.

26 comments:

  1. How cool! I'm anxious just thinking about how quickly time passes, I need to enjoy each day with Grant.....even when I'm so ready for his bad time. We only get but a brief moment, I better enjoy it!

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    1. When your kids are young, it's hard to imagine that time will pass so quickly, but it does!

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  2. I loved running XC in high school and college! Some of my best memories are from hanging out with the team. This sounds like such a fun invitational!

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    1. XC kids are the nicest - they have such a great team!

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  3. I love days like that! They make every parenting sacrifice and frustration worth it. They make me want to freeze time. Sounds like a wonderful day!

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    1. Exactly - it's the days like those that make parenting so fulfilling.

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  4. Sounds like T is having a fantastic season! And thanks for sharing about this fun event. There are so many moments with my kids that I wish I could relive!

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    1. He has really had some breakthroughs this season!

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  5. How awesome!

    My kids love Fairly Oddparents.

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  6. Oh...awesome pictures!

    I loved Fairly Odd Parents. Cosmo is hysterical.

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    1. It was one of the cartoons I could actually sit down and watch with them!

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  7. I know I'm going to feel that way about every age... so glad you had a great weekend

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    1. You have so much fun ahead of you - and I know you will enjoy it all!

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  8. After reading a number of your posts, you sound a little like this great woman; "I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." -Georgia O’Keeffe

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  9. It is hard when you know you are letting go a little. It's all about stages since the day the were born. Even change is scary it bring you to a new and exciting place. When Sarah moved out it was hard, my little girl and not only going to college but she married NEW YEARS EVE of the year she graduated high school so I new she would never be moving back home. They seemed so young, but they fell in love in the 5th grade and went through some pretty rough stuff. I knew they would make it though we couldn't love our son in law any more if he were are own son. He's the man every mother and father hopes their daughter will marry. Now we're in the new grandbaby stage and I don't think I was as excited when our kids were born! One phase leads to the next and there will be plenty phases yet to go through, hopefully all good ones! We are blessed to have great kids!

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    1. Your daughter and son in law sound so great! I hope that my boys find wonderful women who love them. I have to admit I'm pretty excited about grandkids some day!

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  10. Sometimes, I wish I could freeze time too, but then I remember that although it would be nice for a while, it would probably become tiring too. I completely forgot about that episode of Fairly Odd Parents but I do remember Groundhog day perfectly!

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    1. It sounds good in theory, but you're right - life would be boring if we weren't always moving forward!

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  11. I miss the baby days so it's nice to think about amazing days ahead. Right now, the kindergartener and toddler days are nice!
    As always, the photos there are amazing. I need to live there!

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    1. You should at least visit Seattle - it is beautiful!

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  12. Love this post! Learning to fully appreciate those special days and even all the ordinary days in between are what make fairly odd parents the very best parents. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you - you're right. It's important to appreciate the ordinary days too!

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