nostalgia 101

Geo looked at me as we stood in line at the bookstore to buy books for our freshman son.

It seems like just yesterday we were here dating, then mating.

Yes, hon, it does. (giggle)

And now we are sending off another boy. Man...

I know. But this is fun to see them get to this point. And Adam will be leaving for who-knows-where after Christmas. I can hardly believe it.


I read blogs written by young moms and wish I had had this outlet when my boys were little. No internet. No computers for the first two children. No cell phones.

When we were in LA we had one car and lived in the inner city where there was limited green space. We made due. We were happy with so little. I have choked-up recollections of early married years with the discovery of marriage, two handsome little heirs, the lemon tree in the back yard. Living in a temporary place but making permanent memories.

As far as child-rearing goes, we have hit the top of the arc and now we are coming back down. One out, now two. It is like those early years again in a few ways. Back down to two children, like life is a big fat rubber band.

But all is well, and going according to plan. Not always my plan, but a plan nonetheless. And I come home from spending this day on a college campus where our little family got its start and I think. And I think. And I think.

15 comments

Connie | August 6, 2009 at 9:38 PM

Beautifully written.
Life IS like a big fat rubberband, I never thought of it that way but it makes sense. You have such good kids. You should be so proud of them and should pat yourselves on the back for doing such a good job!

LisAway | August 6, 2009 at 10:24 PM

Back down to two. That's such a neat, strange crazy thing how that works.

I know this isn't really a sad post, but I'm almost crying for you. And I'm almost crying for me, and I probably have almost 10 years before any of my kids leave the house.

I think I might be pregnant.

Erin | August 6, 2009 at 10:43 PM

Awww.

Life is going according to plan, even if not MY plan. I love that! What a neat post.

April | August 6, 2009 at 11:12 PM

Life is like that. We make all of these plans for our children when they are little and then they grow up and do what they want. And then we must adjust. Just think of how it would feel if you only had two....like me.

Minna | August 7, 2009 at 7:23 AM

if you are in "nostalgia 101" i must be in the grad course. it amazes that although mine are all grown and gone, (ages 32, 31, 28, and 24) i still worry and wonder and hope and wish their troubles were as easy to repair as they were when i searched for strawberry shortcake's shoes in the driveway. it's important to enjoy all the moments along the way.

Melanie Jacobson | August 7, 2009 at 9:55 AM

It's hard to imagine that we'll reach this point but there must be a certain satisfaction in watching life follow its ebbs and flows and knowing there really is a Plan behind it all.

gigi | August 7, 2009 at 10:08 AM

And just wait!!!!When the GRANDS come along, things really stretch!

Kimberly Vanderhorst | August 7, 2009 at 3:26 PM

I love the way you think...the way you see the world...

Lanie | August 7, 2009 at 10:21 PM

I KNOW...I KNOW. Our first child, a beautiful little girl that I thought would be with us forever..now lives across the country... it turned out that she would go to college far away from us and never come home again. I, of course, love the life she has made for herself and her wonderful family..but, I still miss that beautiful little girl who I only get to hug and kiss maybe twice a year. Thank goodness for computers and thank goodness for musical Mondays so that when I hear that beautiful voice I feel like she's right here with us again.
We love you Kazzy...

Unknown | August 8, 2009 at 11:31 AM

you are so cute. I love you

Anonymous | August 9, 2009 at 3:28 PM

Well put! You make me excited for my new step in life!

Charlotte | August 10, 2009 at 6:47 PM

I am approaching the top of that arc as I watch my kids get older. Now we are on the brink of teenagehood. I remember quite distinctly when I woke up and realized I was no longer a young mother- my kids had aged me out of that category.

charrette | August 11, 2009 at 1:13 AM

What fun memories!

Life is like a big fat rubber band. I love that.
(And my body is like a big fat rubber band that suddenly lost its elastic and refuses to shrink back to normal!) But it's all good...

Your boys are wonderful. I'm so excited for Adam starting BYU, and then a mission. I can hardly wait to see the adventures that lie in his path start to unfold.

Dedee | August 13, 2009 at 1:08 PM

I'm going to cry now. Nostalgia and I are best friends. Now I'm going to think back on the days, whatever they are.

Little GrumpyAngel | August 13, 2009 at 5:45 PM

I like how you made me think of how my plans probably were not consistent with The Plan. I should not weep and think I failed. Because even though I would have preferred some things to be different they indeed turned out good. Yes, all is well :-)