catching my breath

catching my breath

Sometimes you capture those kinds of photographs that stop you in your tracks. When in a split second you see your life and you can’t help but wonder where the time has gone. Right now that quote about the days going slow and the years going fast is ringing in my ears.

Indeed, now that my girls are long past the baby days (and I am long out of the baby daze) the years have taken on a more rapid pace. When my oldest daughter turned 13, I felt it. And now, as we plan for high school, I am there again; in utter disbelief that she is so grown up. When did this happen?

I try to cherish each moment, I really do. But, time doesn’t move any slower because of it. I still see my kids from a distance and wonder how those people can be my babies. And when I look at myself in the mirror I do recognize my age with every line, every spot on my face. These are miracles, I know it and I am so thankful for all of it. I love my life…where I’ve been, where I am going, where I am. But, sometimes, lately, it feels like it’s passing too quickly.

The days go slow but the years go fast.

And so, all I can do is savor it. Each moment, every milestone, each memory etched in my mind.

A little time away with my family is what I am looking forward to today. A time to be fully immersed in my life right now, in joy and gratitude with my heart open, taking it all in, catching my breath.

Have you had time to catch your breath lately?

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16 Comments
  • CindyC
    Posted at 00:01h, 18 April Reply

    She is all grown up! And gorgeous. Where does the time go, indeed!

  • tracy
    Posted at 00:47h, 18 April Reply

    beautiful young woman :o)

    where does the time go? today i had a chance to catch my breath, which i am so grateful for… and my son, with his hair cut just today, away from his eyes, goes from 6 to 10 in an instant (at least in my eyes).

    relishing in the moments, one by one. trying not to blink too often.

  • urban housewife
    Posted at 04:31h, 18 April Reply

    a beautiful picture and beautiful words

  • Jenny Coleman
    Posted at 05:13h, 18 April Reply

    So beautiful! Like mother, like daughter!

  • Linda Jacobs
    Posted at 11:28h, 18 April Reply

    That's all we can do: savor the present. My babies are in their thirties, now. When did that happen? I blinked and they were gone.

    Your daughter is a beauty! I love how you used B&W for this picture because there are no distracting colors to take away from her loveliness.

    Enjoy every minute with her!

  • Leslie
    Posted at 11:34h, 18 April Reply

    I'm feeling much the same way right now…it's just five short weeks until my "baby" girl graduates from high school. She's wishing the days away and I want everything to slow down!

  • Imene
    Posted at 13:52h, 18 April Reply

    I am not feeling serene about time passing. I look at my children and wonder how they become this big. I see gray in my hair, fine lines and I feel terrified…I grab my camera and I try to etch the memories, freeze time. I pray for serenity!

  • kpriss
    Posted at 14:21h, 18 April Reply

    hm. Funny you should ask that in time when I ask myself kinda the same thing? I wonder what happened with my days and how they got to shrink this way? My kids are far from being the age of yours (four of them, from 6y to 6months) but as I strive to get through the day (or night, with the wee one), I can't believe an entire week is already out the window! When did that happen? I love my life, just like you, I treasure the present and look forward for the future. And I think that's the most important thing, beyond wrinkles and gray hair…

  • Dotti
    Posted at 16:45h, 18 April Reply

    Tracey, this is a STUNNING portrait, so beautiful.

  • Colleen
    Posted at 19:08h, 18 April Reply

    That photo made me gasp a little myself.

  • Andrea
    Posted at 19:50h, 18 April Reply

    This is such a beautiful picture. Such a precious gift of the moment! Reading your words make me wonder how I will feel a couple of years onwards. My son is turning two this summer and, although I enjoy the time with him very much, it is often not easy to be patient through his tantrums and try and prevent him from harm that he might run into with his enormous amount of energy. And then I remind myself that time passes so quickly (just as the months since he was born) but often that thought gets a little lost in tackling every day life. Why is it that one only gets 120% of the present although having a bit of the future already would make one more thankful in this very moment? Perhaps it is looking back then and seeing how quickly days faded away that helps to live the presence with a deeper awareness of what treasures are hidden in the "now"….
    Anyway, thanks so much for sharing the picture and the thoughts. You reminded me of something so important!

  • Cara
    Posted at 22:06h, 19 April Reply

    Oh my Tracey she is absolutely stunning. My boys are still in that baby/toddler daze but I know the day is coming I will be looking at men.

  • rawqueen
    Posted at 16:25h, 20 April Reply

    Stunning and beyond. Yes the days go soooooo slow. But have I really been living here in JA for six years??? And how can I be sure that those people are my children? Nope, no time for breathing lately (which reminds me of a funny story concerning my frantic uncle, too long to share now). I am working towards some sit down, centering breath, time later today. Balancing chores with creating. Everyday. Anyway, I love your blog. Gratitude. 🙂

  • jennifer
    Posted at 14:29h, 21 April Reply

    What a beautiful photo (girl) and beautiful words that I think we can all relate to in one way or another. My children are younger but as my son will enter Kindergarten this year, I am having very similar feelings. The last 5 years have gone so quickly. Thanks….

  • kristin
    Posted at 12:32h, 25 April Reply

    that photo of your eldest is breathtaking. and yes so very grown.
    hugs mama.

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    Posted at 17:41h, 06 August Reply

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