Last weekend as we drove around the corner of our street where the azalea bushes line the fence, two of the bushes grabbed our attention with their bright pink blooms whereas the others showed mostly only green still. Tim asked me, “Did those bloom and I missed it?”
He’s been working really hard lately, on an audit and other accounting “stuff”. I know very little about what he does all day but I listen to what he needs to tell me about with the things at work and the people he works with and his day, because that is what spouses do. They listen. I’m trying to be better about it. It hasn’t always been my forte.
I laughed to myself a little after he asked and I told him he did not miss the other bushes blooming yet. I said, “Don’t you see, those little pink buds? They have yet to do their thing.” I think he was pretty happy to know that they had not bloomed yet. They impressed us so much the first spring we lived here, that now we wait for them. Like an announcement of Spring. Like a pink, blooming welcoming of the season, each petal saying “Here I am, aren’t I so pretty?”
I’m trying not to miss the blooming either with all I have going on. I know it would be really easy to do. These kids are “blooming” right before my eyes, growing like weeds, almost literally.
But seasons and kids do not care how much we have going on. They change and grow and move on without a care as to whether we are paying attention or not. Well, the seasons anyway. I think the kids care. I see it in their toothless smiles as they look back at me with pride as they ride off without training wheels on their bike. I especially see it as I look back at photos of my growing kids, the time lapse so short.
This is our 4th Spring in Louisiana. It is sort of hard to believe we will have lived here for five years come July…
The years pass quickly, so much faster than they used to. And the blooming waits for no one.
But we are trying hard to pay attention to each beautiful flower…
Alison says
Living in the moment and appreciating your children, you do those things very well, Elaine.
Yay Spring!
Alison recently posted…Writing: The Process
sarah reinhart says
I cannot WAIT to see some blooms here. I think every year that passes I get more and more excited for spring to show up 🙂 It’s so true; you blink and — change.
sarah reinhart recently posted…sitting pretty at 33 weeks. just checking in really.
Julia says
What a lovely post, it really is true and resonates with me that time moves on even when we aren’t paying attention and I need to remind myself to pay attention sometimes.
Julia recently posted…Why My 3 Year Old Won’t Be Watching Frozen
Kerstin @ Auer Life says
I’m counting down to the “blooming” around here. It’ll be a while, but I can’t wait for my lilacs to bloom. Yes, life and the seasons don’t wait for us – how deep on a Monday morning! Just what I needed 🙂
Kerstin @ Auer Life recently posted…On the Radio
Jennifer says
Love this. You know this is a problem for me. Especially lately. I needed this reminder a LOT!
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Tamara says
I’m waiting to see any blooms, under our piles of snow. We still have about ten inches that has yet to melt. I’ve never been more impatient, but I’d like to take more time to look around and enjoy. Every morning, the spring birds sing! What do they know that we don’t know???
Oh yeah – that these 15 degree mornings (no exaggeration) won’t last.
Tamara recently posted…I Had No Idea How Much I’d Need Her.
Laura says
Such a beautiful post. It is so easy to miss all the new blooms. You’ve reminded me to “stop and smell the roses”, especially where my children are concerned.
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McGuffy Ann Morris says
This is sweet.
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Kimberly says
No they don’t care…they just keep rolling. It’s sad when I remember my dad always hounding me to stop and pay attention “it goes so fast”…jerk was right 😉
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tracy@sellabitmum says
Spring. What is Spring. Send some stat!
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Tricia says
Ahhh I can’t wait to see the first buds and blooms and blossoms! There have been years that I’ve missed it but I won’t this year!
But the part about the kids blooming and bliss in too whether we pay attention to it or not, that makes me pause. That is the blooming I need to pay more attention to catching!
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Andrea says
What a beautiful, gentle post. You’re right – blooming happens whether we are there for it or not. I’m so glad you wrote this to remind me to be present!
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Natalie says
It’s amazing how fast they grow! Happy spring my friend!
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Kim@Co-Pilot Mom says
Lovely, Elaine!
I see that blooming too – in my children, at least. I have to wait a little longer for some blooming outdoors. 🙂
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted…One More Time
Kat says
Beautifully said!
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