This morning was as close to normal as I could make it. The kids got up, we had breakfast, and then I laid out the rest of the morning’s schedule for them. I explained that the kids needed to get dressed and make their beds while I took my shower so we could all be ready to head out to the Children’s Museum to play. They agreed, and I went into my room and shut the door. I happened to walk back past the shut door when I heard a very faint, “Moooom! I need you!” I opened the door and walked halfway down the hall when I heard the same voice (it was Ming Wai) saying thank you, then a higher pitched voice (that was Siu Jeun) responding. She then said, “Siu Jeun! You’re like a super hero! Your super power is to help people…get toilet paper!” He was all sorts of excited to be useful, and she was just happy…to get what she needed.
I peeked in to make sure nobody needed me, without being seen. I smiled, watching my children being so helpful and sharing such kind words…..and then there was a twinge. It just struck me that these two children, my offspring, were having this great moment, and I wasn’t part of it. I couldn’t be part of it. And that is going to happen more and more often…and that that is supposed to happen. That is the goal. To make these great children that suddenly grow up and become these great people that have their own secrets, lives, problems and successes.
Yes, this morning’s peek was just a brother helping his sister reach something…but doesn’t that ever happen to you? Sometimes, life gives us a glimpse of the future that just takes our breath away. And that’s how it’s supposed to be.
Yes oh yes. Oh yes oh yes. I look at my beautiful baby, who howls with laughter when his dad tickles him, and see a 19-year-old heading off on a mission. A surly 14-year-old. A stand-offish 12-year-old. And I want to cry. Life is about watching your kids grow. (Toilet-paper reaching is an awesome super power to have!)
Sometimes it’s hard for me to focus on the happy moments because I know that soon they’ll just be a distant memory! Which is so silly, to not live in the moment. My daughter isn’t as good at getting her brother to do stuff for her, though if I tell her to make him think he’s a helpful superhero, that might change!