Slow Down, Mommy; Hold My Hand
My Perspective
I’m sure I could have entered the Olympics for fastest walking moms, back when I was in my twenties and thirties. I was fast!
Good sales could only be found IN the stores, not between the stores. My goal was to minimize the time between JCPenney and Target. I was the human cheetah, whizzing along. The little kiddos whined often, “Mommy, waaait!” Their little legs were pumping as fast they could go. “Mooom! You’re going too fast!” The kids, now adults, still remember their fast-walking mom.
Now, I walk much more slowly. More like a turtle than a hare. My older, lumbering body just won’t go that fast, no matter how hard I push the gas pedal. It definitely needs a tune-up.
If I never get back to my Olympic-worthy walking, it’s okay. Priorities are different now-a-days. I’m learning that when you stop chasing the wrong things, you allow the right things to catch up to you.
Like that cubby toddler hand reaching for yours. That moment to listen. Honoring the need for love and attention. Enjoying baby giggles and five-year-old knock-knock jokes. Baking cookies together. Taking time to say “You are so special!”
Life is filled with thousands of tiny little miracles. I would hate to miss them racing to the next store. I’d like to walk slowly enough to notice those special moments. And savor them.
What I Wished I Had Done Differently
Fill my bucket in other ways besides shopping.
Be present with my kids when I’m present with my kids.
Work on my own emotional maturity, so that I could put my kids’ needs first.
Savor those special moments with kids. They are precious.
