Last Updated on May 16, 2018
Sweet memories tumble through my head and slowly spill out of my eyes as salty tears.
It was supposed to be just another one of my daily walks through the nearby lush green park, but it ended up being a walk down memory lane.
I saw her running through the playground, her dark hair that was skillfully pulled back with a big red bow was bouncing to the cadence of her tiny thumping footsteps. She lingered in front of the brown metal stairway, placed her soft sweet tiny hand on the bar and looked up at her daddy. She slowly lifted her other hand to his and grinned. When I heard her playful giggle waft up to her father’s dutiful ears and glide wistfully across the playground it tickled a memory … I was frozen in a distant time.
I was propelled backwards some 16 years to a day in the backyard of the tiny 1,400-square-foot home we moved to after I retired from my career and became a full-time mom.
My hubby had built our daughter a large wooden play set in the back yard. The memory safely tucked into the recesses of my brain was propelled forward and I could see her little lively body, the long brown hair, the bow, her father and her complete delight in his creation of her very own back yard play set. My memory is divinely crystal clear as I can see clearly her looking up at him, eyes wide with wonder, a smile curving on her lips and a loud cheerful giggle as he quickly stooped down and her little alabaster arms encircled his daddy neck. She smothered him with kisses and shrieked with delight.
Suddenly my walk, became a stop and linger … in the memory. I realized my cheeks were damp with tears and I heard myself softly sigh and wonder aloud, “Where have the years gone?”
My heart ached and I silently surrendered to the blessed assurance of God’s love as the creator of that giggle.
Father God, thank you for the privilege of being a mother to my delightful daughter for 18 years … I know you revel in her giggles much more than I. As the arrow that is her life is launched may You guide her, protect her, draw her ever closer to You and give me the strength to let her go with gladness. I am forever thankful that as her head tilts upward now, it will be in gratefulness to the goodness of Your love and the assurance that she belongs to You … forever.
We want to know. Do you have young ones leaving the nest soon? Can we join with you in prayer for them? These courageous young men and women God is launching into the world… the ones we remember with Mama arms as babies and toddlers?
Tracey Eyster is the Founder of MomLife Today and the annual Mom Camp event. Her book Be The Mom, LifeWay Bible Study Beautiful Mess and speaking engagements have allowed her the privilege of speaking into the lives of women sharing what God is teaching her. “Be intentional. Be relational. Be selfless.” In a nutshell, that’s her life and message. Tracey has been a mom since 1993 and she and Bill have been married for over 30 years.
LIFE IS GOOD. Thanks for sharing!
Where have the years gone indeed! One second they're glued to our sides and the next they flying on their own. My daughter is a senior in High school. We're looking at colleges. I can't believe it's upon us. but it's been a blessed ride with a lovely girl. I'm so grateful for her and for the chance to nurture and guide her!
Tracey – yes, we are launching child #4 in 2 weeks from today – but our ONLY daughter. So boy – do I resonate with your words and your prayer. My sweet girl is SO READY to fly – and eager to do so – as she will joyfully tell – "Mom, I'm ready…." But for us know it means saying goodbye to a sweet young daugher who has also become a dear friend as well. Oh, boy will we miss her. Even her youngest brother, our #5 – who at 16 is left ALONE in the nest with just old mom and dad. He's not too thrilled about the quiet house either. Change – its inevitable – but NEVER easy! Blessings to you. Its good to know there are others feeling the same things!.
My one and only son is getting ready to start his senior year of high school and start making plans to enter the Coast Guard (hopefully!). I'm going through all these firsts and lasts with him. I'm really excited for him and for my husband and I to start the next phase of our lives together without a child in the house, but it's all very overwhelming.
Hey Moms – thanks for your encouragement and sharing! What joy to be a mother … and how sweet it is to connect with other moms who are where I am and powering through it! I suppose we basically have worked ourselves out of a job – raising children and now we are launching and supporting young adults! A new and exciting stage and we all need to do that with hope towards the future…happy to see you moms are doing just that! Blessings to each of you…big hug – Tracey
Hi. Our 17 year old is getting ready to fly. Praying for a safe landing for her.