A few weeks ago The Husband (PopPop) and I picked up our precious granddaughter, Elliot, and took her to her favorite place for breakfast (Cracker Barrel ) and then to the park to play.
When we got to the park it wasn’t even 10:00, but there were already 8 other little-ones running and playing. Ellie climbed up on the crayon-red train and the three of us pretended for a few minutes. We included a couple of little boys in the pretend train ride. I looked around to make certain the parents of the preschoolers were okay with us playing with them.
On the edge of the playground, some standing, some sitting on benches were 8 men. ‘Wow…this must be “thing”…. Daddy’s morning out with the little people’… I thought.
I tried to make eye contact to see if any of them might be the dad’s of the 2 little boys …
For the love of pete…
Every single one of them had heads lowered, cell phone in hand and were a million miles away busy with texting or checking email or whatever.
Every single one.
We played for awhile and then Ellie wanted to, ” run, run, run…” so we left boys on the train and started running…no kidding. Running. In circles, following our little leader.
Then she wanted to play hide and seek …Pop Pop is a really good “hider”.
Ellie’s giggles were contagious, her sweet voice… “Pop Pop where arrrre you”, music to our morning.
Laughter, spinning, running…bliss.
When it was time to go we passed by the little train, PopPop with one tiny hand, Gigi with the other, I thought of the ‘dad’s’ I’d seen on their phones earlier. I wished they could see life from my 50 year old perspective.
My 4 children long ago grown and living lives of their own, what I wouldn’t give for just 1 more Saturday morning with their childhood selves, Bethany with her soft blonde curls, Stephie with cork-screw pigtails, my chubby-cheeked Timothy ready for mischief and Emily, wide eyed, perched on my hip taking it all in. What I wouldn’t give for a Saturday morning with nothing to do but be with them…
*****
No judgment here. Though I didn’t have a cell phone to occupy my mind when my children were growing up, I did have a pad of paper and a thousand lists to make…a thousand other things consuming my mind and my focus…but for the life of me, I don’t remember what was so important.
*****
A quote from the book, One Thousand Gifts, drifts through my mind.
“Wherever you are…be all there.”
I grab the words and hold tight, it’s made it’s way among the first 250 gifts on my list.
I love the message of the quote…
I want to remember it. With all my heart…
Gigi says
March 11, 2011 at 6:11 amOh, this post is perfect. I’ve felt this way so often. Recently, Todd and I were waiting for a table at a restaurant. The place was crowded and there were lots of families waiting. Todd and I chatted and talked about our days, and then I looked around and realized that in many cases, the entire family was texting or playing a game or checking email. Mom, dad, kids–each was on his/her own phone, completely oblivious to the others. It made me so deeply sad. I know people have busy lives, but when we do get a precious hour or two together, shouldn’t we cherish it. Bravo to you for this post, Robin! xo Gigi
P.S. That photo makes my heart melt.
Julie Garmon says
March 11, 2011 at 8:21 amNope. I think this is my favorite of your posts. You keep moving my heart it’s hard to tell.
Love you. Love, love, love this post. Felt it in my throat.
Gina says
March 11, 2011 at 8:46 amAwww, I love this. What fun with your precious little grand daughter. How blessed she is to have Gigi and Pop Pop (love your names!) I too can remember those distracted days of motherhood not cherishing every moment. How I would love to go back and spend time with them. Oh, I just bought One Thousand Gifts this week and plan to start it as soon as I finish another book. We decided not to use it for our book club/Bible study this summer. We’re looking for a “lighter” read. 😉
Aimee says
March 11, 2011 at 8:51 amMy husband and I always remind each other of this when our 7 yr. old chatterbox who’s got more energy than 5 kids is wearing us out and it’s because of wonderful grandparents (parents who would love to have their own babies back for one more day) like you continually putting that bug in our ears! I love it…
Jennifer says
March 11, 2011 at 8:52 amWhat a sweet post today. My daughter is in her second year of college and I feel the same way. When she does come home we enjoy everything. A few days ago she told me she wants to read One Thousand Gifts so I am going to get two books and we can read together even though we are miles apart.
Thanks for this today.
Pinky says
March 11, 2011 at 10:13 amJOe and I went out to dinner and there was a couple at another table and BOTH of them had their heads down and were texting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never said a WORD to each other??????????? I don’t get it at all. What is the point of going out to IGNORE each other????????? Who else is more important? Thanks for the saying, I love it!!!! XOXO
Wendy says
March 11, 2011 at 10:13 amThis post brought tears to my eyes. With the last of my 3 boys now out on his own I related so easily to your thoughts and comments. And they apply in so many situations. So glad you are enjoying your granddaughter…so very precious!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
March 11, 2011 at 10:24 amAnd that is why I believe God made grandparents, Robin! We get a chance to do it again, but at a slower pace and really enjoy it. Your granddaughter is just adorable. I get to see mine quite a bit and I miss her as soon as she leaves. We are not running around yet {although to watch her you’d think she’s ready to take off at almost 8 months!}.
Jen says
March 11, 2011 at 10:37 amLove, love this post. I can’t tell you how many times I wish I could go back and have my two little again. Unfortunately not everyone has grandchilddren. Maybe someday
Jeannette
Vanessa says
March 11, 2011 at 11:49 amOh, this is so good … a good reminder for us “busy moms” – you’re right though – we won’t remember what in the world was so important at that very moment. Nothing more important than pouring into and investing in our kiddos lives. Thank you!
And … I must get this book!
Carrie says
March 11, 2011 at 11:52 amWOW! Love it!
Kenny says
March 11, 2011 at 12:20 pmLove that quote!! You know Robin it is amazing just how much we realize we could have done different after our kids grow up. Not because we were bad parents but because we let those little things be taken for granted while they were growing up, ie not being in the moment. Being blessed with grandkids is sort of my way to “improve on past performance”. Whether I have to put on a football jersey thats way to small for my big body so I can be “on a team” or have to get my hair done from my g-daughter(this hasnt happened yet but I know its coming) I now make sure that I am in the moment.
PS Jen, your g-kids will be here one day and I can only hope they are as big a blessing for you as mine have been for me. You will absolutely love being a g-ma
TeresaL says
March 11, 2011 at 2:16 pmI’m so thankful for this time with my grandchildren, spending time with them is wonderful. I, too, feel sad for those parents who cannot see that this time is going by so fast and they are missing out on so much joy.
Thank you again (!) for the gift of the book “One Thousand Gifts”.
bill (cycleguy) says
March 11, 2011 at 2:19 pmLoved this post Robin although it sure makes me homesick to my 4 year old grandson who wants to do things with Grandpa, like football that makes grandpa sore. Or baseball that makes grandpa sore. Or wrestle that makes grandpa sore. (notice a pattern?) I would get sore everyday to see him more often. You hit a good spot though robin. It is so different from when we were young parents. I like the quote also. It is said to come from Jim Elliot, martyred missionary to the Auca Indians. He was all there.
Sharon Butler says
March 11, 2011 at 9:16 pmSuch Wisdom in this observation…. You go Robin/GiGi…. This is Truth…. and I wish I had a Saturday or Two…..Love to my Three Darren, Cameron and Hilary and I am sorry I did not get this sooner…..
Rachel says
March 12, 2011 at 9:55 pmI love the quote.
I need to remember it when I am tired of the one millionth question from my 3 year old and want to tune him out. It is hard to remember in those moments that in just a few years from now I will long for these days again.
Kerri says
March 17, 2011 at 9:07 amOh my gosh; what a wonderful way to start the day to get caught up on your posts. This one rings so true. This is the best advice that I was ever given when I had my first child 7 years ago. My boss’s wife, by then an empty-nester herself, told me to “Always be in the moment”, which was something that she regretted not doing more often. I try to follow this advice, but it it is so easy to slip. Yesterday, at bath time, my daughter said “Mommy, that’s what you always say when you’re not really paying attention.” Stunned that she was so perceptive, I said “what do I say”? She said “You say, ‘Oh I see.’ You always say that when you are thinking about something else.” What a reminder to ‘be there’!
Marnie says
October 19, 2011 at 3:55 amWhat a moving post. Thank you.
PS: You don’t look 50.
xMarnie
Erin Courtney says
April 27, 2012 at 1:09 pmBrought tears to my eyes. Thank you for helping me to remember what’s important…:)