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This Is The Time To Remember

Filed Under: BLOG, Life in General, Married Life, parenting two kids Tagged With: , , ,

“This is the time to remember…”

As a wife first…

Dancing Away Happily Ever After!

Dancing Away Happily Ever After!

And then a mom, too I have heard this countless times over the years, plus to never forget (even though for many things, such as this, I would indeed truly forget my head if it weren’t indeed attached to my head.)

Becoming a Mom Changed It All for Me!

The thing is I do know this logically and even recently I attended the record breaking 13th consecutive Billy Joel Concert at MSG in NYC and of the many songs sang at the concert by Billy Joel was, “This Is The Time,” which I of course crooned right along with him and the crowd to so many of his hits (including this one), which span a few different generations.

But if you break down the lyrics, which are as follows:

“This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won’t
Although we’ll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You’ve given me the best of you
And now I need the rest of you”

It does truly applies to so much, including my own life in the present, the past and even the future, too.

Many days I know I am so very busy wearing all the hats I do, such as :

  • Wife
  • Mom
  • Dog Owner
  • Blogger/Writer
  • Designer
  • Just Me (this one gets lost too often in the shuffle, but still she does exist).

And yet as busy as I am, here I sit penning my thoughts even after all is quiet here for the day, because I admit I am only truly at peace when I can put my words out in my writing and that writer in me longs to break free all day long to expand upon what I may have experienced in the most mundane or craziest days, too.

Writers remember and think about life daily.

This is so very true…

But I truly don’t want to forget any of it – the good, the bad and even the nitty-gritty ugly.

What do you want to remember? #1Word @TheGoldenSpoons

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Why?

Because again, I want to remember and not forget any of it.

See someday, even many years from now, I want to be able to turn on my computer (if this is hopefully still an option) and be able to read through all the many different chapters in my life, this one included and just remember it all.

For instance, today I stood waving goodbye to Emma as she climbed those large, yellow bus steps.  As I watched her get smaller and smaller and the bus take off, it dawned on me in that moment that I forgot to pack a snack for her for school for the day. 

Emma Getting on the Bus

And upwards she went (in warmer times though)…

I actually choked back tears imagining seeing her face crumble when she realized when she went to open up her Frozen snack bag that this snack was indeed missing.

So what is a mom to do?

This mom raced into the house, grabbed a large Ziplock bag, put a granola bar and a chocolate milk in the Ziplock bag.  Next thing I knew, I was making a mad dash for her school to beat the bus and morning drop-offs to have this same snack waiting for her when she arrived to school for the day.

Why?

Because that is just what moms do.  I mean, I would do anything in my power to make sure she had a great day and not have to be missing out on snack time, because of my forgetfulness.

Granted forgetting a snack is something pretty trivial and easy to remedy right now. 

As they do say small kids, small problems; big kids, big problems. 

For someday both my girls will be older and their problems will be harder to indeed fix, but god help me with every last breath in my body, I will try to make these problems better for whatever it is worth and takes.

And this too shall very much pass, but still here is my wish for my girls.

Me and the Girls

That in end, both my girls someday will REMEMBER that even though I did forget quite a bit (OK I am very forgetful with all I have to remember for all of us), that I always tried my best to give them the best and rest of me to more then makeup for my forgetfulness and make it all better, because I am their mom for better or worse always.

Once again a big thank you to Lisa from The Golden Spoons, who challenged myself and other bloggers at the start of 2015 to The 1 Word Challenge.  This weeks words were: Remember, Magic, and Unbreakable.

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janine says

    Christy, seriously thank you for all your kind words and I just adore you so much. Big hugs right back to you tonight!!! 🙂

  2. Diane Roark says

    Janine,
    Well said. You made me tear up. I hope I take advantage of each and every moment we are in. As my kids get older, it has been difficult for me to let go and let them make decisions and live by the consequences. It hurts me to see them not making the best decision sometimes, but I do not always make the best decision either sometimes. The good news is we all learn from making mistakes. It is just so hard on us moms. I pray my kids too will know that I tried my best at being a good mom. Sometimes, I know they do and other times I am not so sure, but I keep trying.
    Being a mom and molding our kids to be the best they can be in the future is the most difficult but rewarding job.

    Many Blessings,
    Diane Roark

    • Janine says

      Diane, you said a mouthful and it is truly the most difficult, but yet rewarding job. And I know Diane, you truly are one amazing lady and mom, too! Thank you so much always for just being you 🙂

  3. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    I try to take in all the little things, too. It is so hard sometimes because all of the sudden, the moment will pass and I feel like somehow I will forget it.

    • Janine says

      I know exactly what you mean Robin and I truly try so hard to even just write down even the smallest of things in my notepad on my iPhone so I don’t forget.

  4. Seana Turner says

    I love those lyrics. I often feel Billy Joel nails it! Because it does go so quickly, and we’re all so busy just trying to get things done, and nurse the sick, and feed everyone, and clean constantly. But your blog will document history for your girls, who will have a blogosphere of witnesses to your faithfulness, love and dedication!

    • Janine says

      Seana, I love that way you put this and I truly hope that my girls do have this blog and all I have shared here in the future 🙂

  6. Kim @ HappyPrettyBlog says

    Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones but this totally made me tear up! Sometimes it’s hard to step back from the craziness of life and just remember to soak it all in so that we’ll actually be ABLE to remember it later. Thanks for the reminder 🙂

    • Janine says

      Kim, I am not pregnant and was totally writing this with tears as I did. I also had to walk away before I edited, because I so would have bawled my eyes out all over this one if I didn’t walk away for that time. Happy to remind though you and definitely needed to remind myself, too.

  7. Carrie Groneman says

    Life is so grand and the moments so sweet – sometimes we remember to cherish them as they happen, and oftentimes we savor as delectable’s to have tiny bites at a time. Thank you for the precious post. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow

    • Janine says

      Absolutely and totally my pleasure Carrie. And I honestly couldn’t agree more, we really need to enjoy one amazingly, great bite at a time.

  8. April says

    I’m very much in the same position, but extremely tired of the littles’ drama. But I know that this too shall pass! Right?

  9. Kim says

    Remember is such a great word!!! I think that having a blog has helped me document stuff that I might not otherwise remember.
    As far as the daily stuff, my boys know that if I don’t write things down then they have to remind me – sad because I didn’t used to be this way:)

    • Janine says

      Kim, it wasn’t this way either and yet know if I don’t write it down I will totally forget it. So, thanking god I do have a blog, because as I said I really don’t want to forget of of this time if at all possible.

  10. Tracie says

    I love that you raced down to the school to have that snack there waiting for her. I think there is something special about fixing those small problems now – each one is a deposit of trust with our kids, that they can draw on when they are older, the problems are bigger, and all the other kids aren’t talking to their parents about the scary stuff.

    • Janine says

      Tracie, I truly hope this is a deposit of trust, because I would do anything for my two girls – anything and just hope they know that as they get older and the problems do indeed become bigger and on a much larger scale.

  12. Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says

    Yup, I would have done exactly the same thing. In fact…I have. Library books.
    I love that Billy Joel song – one of my favorites always and so very true. Every day I try to burn the moments into my brain so they never slip away.

    • Janine says

      Lisa, library books or snack pretty much the same consequences if forgotten, so I think your reaction was the right one, too. And I love that it wasn’t just me though 😉

  13. Leah says

    I love this post. You are such a beautiful, awesome mom!!! Remembering is one if my biggest goals. To capture the moments in writing. In photos. In my heart. We talk often of our memories bcs it keeps them alive and u think it adds so much to the present especially as my kids get older. Moody, grumpy teenager? Throw out a memory and bam – you’ve got a little piece back of them listening and laughing with you!!

    • Janine says

      Leah, I love that you throw out a memory and get your teenagers smiling. I will have to remember this for when my girls get to be teens, too. 🙂

  14. The Dusty Parachute says

    Such a sweet post (and your 1 word was much nicer than mine) 😉 There are definitely moments I find myself staring at something special/ordinary/whatever that my kids are doing and I say to myself “please remember this forever….’

    • Janine says

      Thank you on both fronts and I know I do the same thing quite often and honestly thankful that I write so much of it down, because like I said I really don’t want to forget ever 😉

  16. Allie says

    As the queen of forgetfulness, I totally get this. And I used to rush to the school with forgotten items. Unfortunately my kids are now forgetful and expect me to rush to the school with the items they’ve forgotten. It’s a vicious cycle. BTW, love the Amy Tan quote and the Billy Joel song:)!

    • Janine says

      Allie, god help either of my girls if they are as forgetful as their dear old mom! But still this is why I do adore you, because I think we do have this and quite a bit more in common 🙂

  18. Kerri says

    Beautiful post, Janine. My feeling is kids forget the things you messed up on and remember the love that was there throughout.

  19. Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says

    I totally understand, you are such a great mommy! I did the same thing except I left the whole kitten kaboodle–his bookbag with his lunch AND homework! oy vey. crazy. We will do whatever it takes to keep them happy despite our forgetfulness!! xoxo

    • Janine says

      Nellie, we totally will and sounds like we have this also in common though, as yes I admit I am truly as forgetful as they come so many days!

  21. Jen says

    Janine this is such a powerful post. What great memories of a very full, busy and wonderful life. Hugs to you as you inspire and bring the good to your family, the blogging world and everywhere else you go.

  22. Kenya G. Johnson says

    Awww, my eyes watered a little about Emma’s snack. That is a mom moment when you imagine their face crumble and then having their day not go so smooth. I actually remember being in grade school when something was forgotten and just had to deal with it because my parents were at work so far away. As you know Christopher is 10 and I just had this exact feeling a couple weeks ago. I had though there was going to be a two hour delay because the weather was bad so I turned his alarm off. He has two alarms, a 5:30 and a 6:00. I listen and get up to the 5:30 one but this day I overslept and got up at 6:10. We had 10 or 15 mins before the bus came. I swear she came early that day. I scrambled to put his lunch together and when I came back in from the bus stop I saw that his drink was still on the counter and I’d forgotten to pack two other things. I knew he would see the missing contents before lunch because they also still have snack time. So I e-mailed his teacher immediately and told her to let him know to eat whatever for snack and I’d come have lunch with him. It felt good to be able to do that even though that wasn’t on my agenda for the day.

    • Janine says

      Ok, Kenya now you made me tear up recalling that incident. Seriously, what we do for our kids and truly wouldn’t have it any other way though! Thank you for reminding me of this and sharing with me again today 🙂

  23. Echo says

    So many magical moments. Sometimes, it is the seemingly small moments that I remember the most. I love keeping those moments with me!

  24. Chris Carter says

    Oh Janine!!! I think this one is my favorite of yours…. it just cracked open my heart and lit it UP. Every single thing you shared…. I nodded and sighed and smiled and nodded again as I read it all.

    Print this and make sure you have this one for your girls to read when they are older. It’s absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

    • Janine says

      Chris, thank you so much and really just melted my heart that my words resonated this much with you today. And I think I might just have to print out this blog article now for my girls 🙂

  25. Bev says

    They may not show always show it, but I’m sure they will always know how much you love them and how much you do for them as their mom. Beautiful post, Janine!

    • Janine says

      Thank you again Bev and I really do very much hope you are right, because I do truly just love both my girls with all my heart 😉

  26. Lindsay Klein says

    AWWW how adorable are you! Who can remember anything these days with all of our hats and millions things to check on top of just being a human:) I like to designate my “internet” time and then my real time because yes, those are the REAL parts of life you want to engage in and remember ! love this!

    • Janine says

      Lindsay, I know truly have a million things to think of, remember and do daily and yes I do want to remember all of it if possible!! Thank you 🙂

  29. Aunt Gloria says

    You made my heart melt when I read how you dashed to Emma’s school to get her snack before she got to school. Even a teenager will have that in the memory bank and your love will be the building blocks for the future. I know you do a great job in all your different roles…..and I love you for it. Have a good weekend. Love…..xxoo

  30. Jack says

    The benefit of working from home is that I have been able to run things to school too. It has been nice to show my kids dad takes care of them and mom during the day.

  32. Rosey says

    I’ve forgotten snack too and turned right back around to take it to the school. It’s a big bummer to sit and watch everyone else have snack, when yours is still sitting at home!

    • Janine says

      Rosey, I know I just couldn’t let that happen to Emma. I do know they usually have extra snack for kids that may have forgotten, but still I know Emma likes her own snack and prefers it – so I just had to run up there for her.

  33. Rea says

    You are such a supermom!! Of course, people sometimes forget. Even us moms. What with all the things we have on our plate right? But I think the good thing is we always find ways to makeup for it. 🙂

  34. Tamara says

    I had to steal Cassidy’s laptop to comment because my phone wouldn’t let me.
    I love this post! We’re such twins.
    And that song was my 8th grade graduation song and to this day, it fills me with deep, deep feelings. A lump in my throat really!
    I would have done the same thing with the Frozen snack bag. I can’t bear the thought of Scarlet not having her special snack every morning.
    Love you!

    • Janine says

      Once again can I tell you how much you have made me smile this past weekend and now Sunday, too. We are definitely twins and guess what? I think we have decided on when we are doing Disney finally and am going to hopefully be booking this week. So very excited and when you get back will share more and totally pick your brain, too. Love you, too 🙂

  36. Rabia @TheLiebers says

    My kids had a delay today and I had to bring them into work with me. When I went out to take them to school, but middle son said eh didn’t want to go to school. He wanted to stay with me. I jokingly asked him is that’s because he wanted to play computer games all day, but he said “no” he wanted cuddle. So sweet! That’s the kind of thing I want to remember.

  37. karen says

    sniffles, what a great post! I want to remember too, but feel like I forgot so much…I want to remember it all and fear that one day I won’t remember those sweet moments.

  38. The Pinterested Parent says

    You are such a good mom, Janine. I can picture the look when she realized she did not have her snack. I have seen that look on my daughter’s face, You saved the day though mom. Details from Mai’s infancy have already gotten hazy, that why it is so great that we are able to capture the big moments in written word & photograph. I have mommy brain & am often forgetful, but the magical moments are truly imbedded in my heart.

    • Janine says

      I know those magical moments are truly tattooed in my heart forever and ever. And thank you so much always. I seriously, couldn’t leave her without a snack though (the thought tore at my heart).

  39. Kristen says

    I loved this! So thoughtful and so true – time is flying and we are going to wish for the smaller problems problems someday. Beautifully written and I feel like we are in the same boat with our girls…

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