• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • San Diego Momma
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
San Diego Momma

San Diego Momma

Sharing some humor, a bit of writing and way too much information

Home / Etcetera / The Hourglass

The Hourglass

Etcetera

leafgirls

 

The moments go by. I marvel at friends’ hair loss, my dad’s newfound tendency to go to bed before 9, my cracking knee.
I view this time through sepia, colors gray and darken, edges disappear, focus fuzzes. We were all just kids waiting for Santa Claus, and not that long ago. Time hastens us, the blurring begins, the years gain momentum and take off down the track. We were all just kids, all just kids.

 

Sometimes I wish I could more clearly see the aging, the growing up, the losses and gains of years passing. What was the day the paunch began to grow around my middle? When did my daughter start to speak in complete sentences? There should be an exact moment in time, a line marking the change so we know what to expect. Today I am young! Tomorrow I will not be. Age’s gradual approach bedevils me. It’s sneaky. Predatory.

 

I resolve to think differently. Hold the spider. Let it crawl up my arm. Look it in its eye. It eats the flies, it eats the flies. See its purpose and certain beauty. Let the spider crawl. It moves to the baseboard and does what it does. I shake the gloomy sediment from my cobwebbed vision and look skyward. Accept the blessing.

 

Because we are gifted with years, bodies that carry us through, eyes sharp with wisdom,
and friends and family that grow old with us, when so many don’t, so many don’t.

 

**********

 

I woke up this morning to two little girls wrapped around my neck. I cup my hands around feet drawn up nearly to chins. My fingers can’t contain their toes anymore. Paint dots their noses, dried something — peas from dinner? — crusts in smile lines. I think I yelled at them last night for making a mess of the peas. They nestle the tops of their heads under my chin. Two months ago, they were waiting for Santa Claus.

 

I will remember this. Vow to relish the pea crust, delight in paint left on the dining room table. Stop yelling.

 

We were all just kids, we were all just kids.

 

The moments go by.

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

February 10, 2011 · 17 Comments

Sure I’d love to see you again

Previous Post: « Remembering to Say Thank You
Next Post: Overdue, Again »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Sondra says

    February 10, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    You are such a gifted writer. Thank you sharing your gift with me.

    Reply
  2. ilinap says

    February 10, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Thanks for this reminder. It’s all too fast, and I yell way too much.

    Reply
  3. Lori Stefanac (Lola) says

    February 10, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    I love this post! Beautifully written. It’s funny, I have just very recently realized that for me, THESE are the good times. My children are growing up (but not too fast) my parents are aging, yet still independent and healthy. My husband and I are taking in every moment to treasure what we have, while we have it.

    I realize that life is a delicately balanced scale that could tip at any time. It’s okay. That’s just the way things are. But what a gift to REALIZE you are in the best of times when you are in them. So for now, I am stopping to smell the roses, and the tulips, and the magnolias…I may take a little extra time when I get to the poppies…I hear those are a lot of fun

    Reply
  4. foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog) says

    February 10, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    So lovely!

    I’ve reached a stage lately where I feel like I ache about the speed in which my boys are growing and how they’re changing. I miss who they were, and love that part of them, but I love this stage, too. It’s just getting my mind adjusted to how quickly it seems to be happening! Guess it goes hand in hand with how quickly it’s happening to me, too!

    Reply
  5. Rima says

    February 10, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    So very true. I try to stop and take it in whenever I remember to. I’m also hoping one day having written some of it down on the blog will help too. Beautiful post, Deb.

    P.S. Did you have to import those fall leaves in from another state? I mean, do you guys have fall in California?

    Reply
  6. Jenn Sullivan says

    February 10, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    Good job putting life back in perspective. I swear you must have written this specifically for me today. Beautiful…

    Reply
  7. Ferd says

    February 10, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    At age 55, with my 4 kids ranging in age from 25 to 30, I would say that the best years for me were when the kids were small. When there was crazy action every day. Fun and games, problems and mini tragedies, the energy of youth and the fatigue of being a parent, so many new experiences. Fun times. And they do so quickly pass. The moments, all sorts of moments, blend and fuse and zip on by.
    Today, though, I am old enough to appreciate every single moment. I relish life like I never have before. I try to take nothing for granted. Life is short and I can feel the truth of that in my bones. There is very little worth complaining about. I have good health and I am using it for good and not for evil. I have the very best life partner I could ever dream of in Princess Gail, and together we try to enjoy whatever it is that the day brings. We look for the awesome but can find joy in the ordinary. Isn’t that great!? I’m blessed, too!

    Reply
  8. Ferd says

    February 10, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    BTW, your daughters are growing up!
    They are beautiful!

    Reply
  9. Boni Candelario says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    My birthday is today and this post reflects my thoughts as I woke up today with my 3 year old daughter nestled close to me, smiling in her sleep. I vowed the same things, to cherish the moment. Thank you for this piece. Very organic, sweet, and true.

    Reply
  10. Botut says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    Funny, I stumbled across this blog and your words were exactly what has been on my heart. I just posted something about my grandfather’s passing…and life.

    Nicely done. I look forward to more!

    Reply
  11. MomZombie says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:27 pm

    I ache sometimes when I realize how swiftly I’m being carried on the current.
    Isn’t it funny how something like pea crust can be so profound?

    Reply
  12. Jack says

    February 12, 2011 at 11:44 pm

    Don’t know what else to say other than you get it, you just get it.

    Reply
  13. tinsenpup says

    February 13, 2011 at 12:45 am

    Your babies are so beautiful! Thanks for reminding me that life’s too short and childhood is too fleeting to be wasting time with raised voices and harsh words. I really need that reminder sometimes.

    Reply
  14. Mad Woman behind the Blog says

    February 13, 2011 at 9:07 am

    Sigh. This is so beautiful. Thank you. I too was thinking about the time slipping away from me as my daughter becomes more independent every day, her babyhood gone.
    We won’t speak of my knees, crows feet or waist line. Ahem.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Time | 3 Kids and a Breakdown says:
    February 10, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    […] today I read something that helped me put my crap into perspective. Because it is my crap. Of course. I’m the one […]

    Reply
  2. Dog puke can really put it back in perspective « myvegaslife says:
    February 10, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    […] put me back in perspective with my lil’ attitude problem. Her blog just reconfirmed that I needed to chill. So I took a deep breath and I did. Why? Because I am a baby and need to grow up and because God […]

    Reply
  3. Tweets that mention San Diego Momma » Blog Archive » The Hourglass -- Topsy.com says:
    February 12, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by San Diego Momma, Morgan B.. Morgan B. said: A post that made me hug my chicks a little tighter tonight via the lovely and talented @SanDiegoMomma http://ow.ly/3VpzT […]

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

I love words. Every one, every time. (Except “moist.” That word can go.) …read more

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sure. I’d love to see you again.

Categories

Archives

Blogroll

  • Blog This Mom
  • Da Goddess
  • Dirt and Noise
  • Discover San Diego
  • Foolery
  • Juggling Life
  • Mama Mary Show
  • Mel, A Dramatic Mommy
  • Mom Zombie
  • Mommy’s Martini
  • Motherhood is Not for Wimps
San Diego Momma

Footer

Archives

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

sandiegomomma

sandiegomomma
Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years… Circumstance Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years…
Circumstances have changed since post-Prom-picnic-circa-1986-vibes…
#WhereIsBryanAdamsNow
Dorm drop! 🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕 Dorm drop!
🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕
💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫 💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫
Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Monica trip.
And now she knows she doesn’t want to live in LA….
#LifeLessons
It’s happening….. It’s happening…..
Barely tolerating me….. Barely tolerating me…..
Beach day with my “little” one while big sis e Beach day with my “little” one while big sis explores Cal Poly…
Life transitions. Beautiful but I haz the olds.
#NotAboutMe #Whhhhyyyyy
A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDo A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDoesntLikePictures
Sunset squad. Brought a picnic and drinks to Del M Sunset squad.
Brought a picnic and drinks to Del Mar and watched the waves and horizon. Not too crowded or cold - another good hang with the neighborhood gang! ❤️❤️
Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my In Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my Instagram) (and in my antibodies). It’s a COVID New Year’s Eve…
Husband and I down for the count(down).
BUT. We’re doing decent and it’s cozy up in here…
Winery times! Winery times!
Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen talking about everything.
Smells like a Sunday neighbor night. ;)
Line dancing lessons… My two left feet did nothi Line dancing lessons…
My two left feet did nothing right - but they did it with gusto.
Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite the seeming divine intervention from above, we weren’t struck with the “perfect” next book to put on our list…..
Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion. (Oh my Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion.
(Oh my gosh you guys…! No! I’m not a sports model! But I totally understand how you might think so.) 😜😜😜
I wanted my hair to do that. #NordicSisters I wanted my hair to do that.
#NordicSisters
Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/ Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/sang with him.
Miss you Dad. Hope we do your hats justice. Lord knows we’ll have fun in them, just like you did. 😇
Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning here. And the landscape is nice too ;).
Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing inspiration...
Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, th Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, the rainbow jumper and white bobby socks oughta do it. No but wait! There’s a bowl cut. Annnnnnnddd giant gold-rimmed specs.
#CentennialFashion
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Hello Chicky

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT