Live in the moment
 

"You never know when you're making a memory
They will wish they were here together again, someday"
Rickie Lee Jones

Saw a mom walking her little ones out of the local pool yesterday. Reminded me of how much I liked that summer tradition with my children.

They haven't even left home yet and already I'm dreading the empty nest...

I know, I know.

I hear ya. It goes by damn quickly.

It does go by fast...enjoy while you can. Oh, a warning...they do turn into teens, you know. ;)

Yeah, then there will be times when you'll want to kill them yourself.

My wife and I were having this discussion yesterday. My son Jack is at a cross country running camp at the Naval Academy this week and my daughter Arden is teaching at a riding academy, staying there during the week. This is not our first brush with an quiet house, but the silence is eerie.

After 16 years of being a close family, my wife is dreading the empty nest. I am dreading the missing farm hands:cool:

Daughter 17 is working two jobs and being courted by some colleges in the east.

Daughter 15 is...15. Plays water polo for two teams, hardly home this summer.

Son 13 is home from a weeklong BSA summer camp (with me on Catalina); is preparing for a 4 week camp in Texas later this month.

I agree - the silence is eerie.

Just bought tickets to take my daughters, 13 and 8, to Davies Symphony Hall tomorrow night. Four Tchaikovsky numbers, ending with the 1812 Overture, hopefully with cannons. The kids love that song. I'm enjoying them while they'll let me.

There is often a second act after the kids leave. We've got two granddaughters staying with us for a couple of weeks. Tonight we're barbecuing hot dogs and making s'mores in the backyard fireplace. We'll jump in the pool for some night swimming, and I'm going to throw them in the air.

Two weeks ago I taught my oldest grandson how to solder.

You've got your whole life to make memories - it doesn't stop when the kids leave.

Back to the "You never know when you are making memories." I was just thinking of this last night. At some point, I will look back and think of what I did this year as a memory. I wonder if that will be one of those that I would like to live again, or one of those I'd like to forget.

I try to approach each day with that in mind. Damn, I'm loosing.

That's why I was thinking that last night.

Too bad there are not any Heathkits around these days. I grew up building stuff from Heathkit.

Some lessons you learn the easy way. I think of this almost every day, enjoying as much time as possible with our kids. We've got 2 girls, one will be 3 in a few weeks and the other is 7 months, just starting to develop her personality, and I love her more each day.

Last night I took our oldest to see fireworks (Canada Day). We took the 911 - I swear that kid is going to cost me some tickets - "daddy, go SUPERfast!!" "rock and roll!". Much faster and we'll have to wear helmets...

It was another one of those moments that I'll always want to relive when they're older. Those moments come every day, and I've learned that if you take the time to appreciate that fact, it actually seems to slow things down. I frequently remark that our youngest is "only" 7 months old - she seems to have been around so much longer!!!

My father, brothers and I did Heathkits, and they would be cool to do today too. But we also have networking issues to work out with my son and our home network, and itouch apps to explore. Scouts have taken us all on some pretty cool modern day adventures: spending the night on an aircraft carrier, rock climb/rappelling, cross-country bike rides, riding trains and paddling kayaks.

I guess my point is that we just need to appreciate today whatever stage of life we're in. And I know that's obvious. And I know I'm saying it because I need to hear it myself.

But damn those kids sure grow up quick...

I remain...looking forward to grandkids - all in good time of course!

Great thread to make us all think.

I found myself a single dad when my daughter was 4....I spent many a weekend taking her to the pool at my cabin at LAKE CLE ELUM when I would have rather been riding my dirt bike and chasing women.....I always said: there will come a time when she won't be coming around.

Sure enough, when she was 13, she only came over a few times, 2 times at 14, once at 15 and very rare after that.

Now she's 29 and in Grad school getting an MBA - I think we both appreciate those days at the swimming pool.

the solution is obvious --- she needs to take up gardening

We don't want for time fillers: She is a master gardener...we have a huge English/vegetable garden, horses, farm, etc., etc.

She is also an engineer that works full time...I guess what we'll miss is with the children is the original point of this thread: making memories with them. So far, raising Arden and Jack has been a great, rewarding trek.

We know they have to go make their way, we just hate to break up the team, full time.:cool:

Bob I think that is one of the saddest things I have ever read on here.

Sigh, sigh, sigh, ad nauseum

I just finished mowing the yard and this time my son wanted to ride the tractor with me. :cool:

Usually it's my daughter that's by my side but she was with the wife at the store.

I showed Jake how to steer and get reeeeeeaaalllly close to the bushes so you don't need to trim. One of those things I did with my Dad at that age.

yeah, I know. When's he's 13-14 and I TELL him to mow the grass he'll complain but I'll take the time right now.:rolleyes:

In fact, he and I are taking the 911 to make a "store run" for party supplies for tomorrow as soon as I can get offa Pelican.

Yes they do grow up so fast. I tend to think back to the days of my two girls in our house. But thats what they made grandkids for. Now when they come over, I can play and teach new things and still have lots of fun. They're now 2-1/2 and 6 months. Boy I cant wait until I can set up the train set or slot car set and have some real fun. I do miss my kids. To all you young parents, quit your *****ing about nothing and get back to hug your kids.

Referring to his 7 y.o. daughter...

"Today was the first trip she’s decided she will push the cart. She’s progressed from sitting in the cart to pushing it. Happens much quicker than you expect. I still remember coming out of Target in the rain, seeing her giggle in the seat under her new Hello Kitty umbrella. One of those memories where you not only hear Time’s Winged Chariot, but feel the hoof hit you in the back of the head."

James Lileks