940th Saturday

I recently read that there are 940 Saturdays between the time a child is born and the time he/she turns 18 (The Reader’s Digest, July/August 2012, p. 76). This past weekend I reached my 940th Saturday with my son Ben (happy birthday, Ben)! Last week we spent time watching home videos, laughing over the antics of a two-year-old learning to dress himself, getting into the Christmas tree (and telling people what was inside their presents), stacking packages of diapers into a tall tower, singing, and stuffing his mouth with cereal (sometimes while he was singing). We exclaimed over a 7th grader who was playing saxophone solos and winning spelling bees. I went to bed marveling that this “baby” of mine is now a young man who is an excellent student, friend, employee, driver, and musician. It’s truly an honor to be his mom!

Where did those 940 Saturdays go? When I watch those old home videos, I remember many of the scenes as though they were yesterday. Many of those Saturdays were spent working hard, helping Ben overcome speech, motor skill, and sensory difficulties. On others, we took time to deliberately create the good memories we are now reliving and enjoying—taking trips, picking blueberries, going to the zoo, spending time with friends and family, playing games, singing, and laughing. I’m afraid that I cannot account for the majority of those Saturdays. They were routine, full of the busyness of daily living…and they flew by all too quickly!

This past Saturday, my 940th since my son was born, was spent without him, in the same way that his birthday will pass on Friday. Ben is on a mission trip far from home with a group of young people from our church. He is often away from home, with commitments at school, work, and church. Last week I wrote about “Preparing him to fly…” and it’s gratifying to see that Ben has spread his wings and successfully flown to new heights in a wide variety of areas! (Next week I’ll write about some of the things I’ve done to “let go,” to enable him to grow).

My youngest son will turn 18 months old next week. I am now fully aware of how quickly the Saturdays (and other days) between now and the time he turns 18 will pass. I wish I could say that this awareness is helping me to be more deliberate in how I spend those days. Life is busier now than it was almost two decades ago, with four children now and a full-time job. But this unique perspective, with an 18-year-old and an 18-month-old, gives me an intense appreciation for the learning and growing that happens during those intervening years. Each day is truly a gift, and I’m thankful for each and every one!

How are you making the days count with the young people in your life? Our roles as parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends change over the years, but the memories we make, the lessons we learn, and the relationships we build can be priceless!