Where does the time go?

Yesterday we were in Burger King in Saugatuck, and there was a young family there with a baby about 3-4 months old.  He was so tiny and the parents were taking turns holding him so the other one could eat.  They'd swap him off, each taking the child in the one arm-football hold that Toby and I know so well.  It was literally the only way we could get Evan to calm down most of the time... I know that position all too well.  Most people have spit up on their shoulders.  Ours were on our forearms. 

Flash forward 14 years and I'm sending that same "baby" to football camp.  I simply don't know where the time goes, nor why we are so unaware of it flying by.  Maybe we're just to busy and focused getting to the next stage and through the current phase to pay attention. 

I know I am guilty of it. 

I remember when Blake was a baby, and Gretchen came to visit.  "I would take ten of these instead of my one teen," she had said, and I remember thinking you're crazy!  Sleepless nights and constant mind-numbing duties?  Gimme the teen, I thought to myself.

Now I know exactly what she means.  We are no longer the center of their universe and Queen of their castle.  They have moved onto other loves and interests that we are not invited or even allowed to. 

We bug them.
We annoy them.
They seek us out only for money or food.

Evan is still the same loving kid he has always been.  The main part of his personality is still intact, but he is definitely pulling away, as he should be.  I know this is a normal part of parenting, and also why we long for that beautiful baby in our arms. 

We just want to be needed again, without an argument.  Without a heavy sigh or eye roll.  Without sarcasm. 

So I will leave you with this picture from yesterday, when the big boys decided it was okay to play with the little ones.  Linda and I were delighted to see that inside they were still kids at heart.  They were still them. 

Because of the sun, they are shadows, but I think that's fitting.  Max is clinging to Evan's back, and Blake is sitting on the shoulders of Ryan and Jake.  They stood there for several pictures because I think they too were content in that moment. 

Stay in the moment no matter what the age...