The important stuff...

I went for a bike ride with my family tonight. One of our favorite places to stop for a bit is downtown, right on the river. We usually get a drink and let the kids run around a bit...they love it because there is a big grassy hill they run up and down. I always watch them as they run, with my back leaning against the  boardwalk railing...but tonight I really watched. Holding my hand to shield my eyes from the setting sun I watched my beautiful children. Anna with her golden curls falling down all around her face, Isaac with his short breath and rosy cheeks, and Helanea with her sun kissed red hair and freckles. With the back lighting from the sun, and the mesh of green grass and blue sky as their canvas, they sure painted a beautiful picture. My babies. How blessed I am. God has graced me with these wonderful, kindhearted, silly, little people. How happy they were just to have a soft green space to run, and of course roll down a few times narrowly missing each other. We take so much for granted...I take so much for granted. I have a 20 yr old...I know how soon they take flight...but still I get caught up in the day to day and forget the important things. It doesn't take much...a second hand bike and a little time. The laughter...that infectious giggle of a small child...of your small child... can heal some many ills. These are times that will be forever etched in my mind. I still call upon the memories of my oldest...of his white blond, baby fine hair rising on top of his head as he ran downhill, of the baby blues he still flashes at me to this day. He'll always be that boy...no matter how old he gets. That's the thing about being a Mom...I get to make, and keep, all the little memories of these awesome individuals. I store them and value you them as my finest possessions. These children have influenced me far more than they will ever know...and I have to try to remember as they make these precious memories for me...I am doing the same for them.