Don’t blink. It all goes by so fast.
How many times have you heard this? Or some related version?
If you’re a parent or caregiver, probably more times than you can count. And now that my oldest son has started high school, the frequency seems to have picked up.
Just wait until he starts driving.
You’ll never see him.
Soak it all up.
It goes by so fast.
I know these things are said with love. Usually by people who have already lived through this particular season.
But what, exactly, am I supposed to do with this information?
Should I keep a picture of my son in front of me and stare at it periodically so I can properly remember what it feels like to be his mom right now?
Should I scroll through old photos to remind myself how quickly we got here?
Should I attend every school event so I don’t “miss a thing”?
Should I be very, very present - while simultaneously checking to make sure I’m being present enough?
How does one accomplish this task everyone keeps encouraging us to do?
Because sometimes, if I’m not careful, make the most of it starts to feel less like an invitation and more like a weight on my chest.
