OMG! Where Has The Last 23 Years Gone

My eldest daughter turned 23 years old at the beginning of July and I thought to myself, OMG! Where have the last 23 years gone? The years really do flash by in the blink of an eye.

For me it really only feels like yesterday that I would sit on the patio and count the stars with her on a summer’s night at sunset, and try to pass on some words of wisdom to her, although we have had this conservation on a few occasions recently about how when she was four years old she would sit with me on patio, she claims she can’t remember any of it!

So my pearls of wisdom about life were lost on her bad memory haha! Secretly I believe she heard it all and subconsciously took it all in and that’s why she is such a success now. That’s my belief and I’m not changing my mind!

Last week brought home a few realities to me that you shouldn’t miss a thing, and you should do your best to cram every single milestone into your memory and attend every special moment throughout their childhood, because believe me it will be gone and there is no chance of getting it back. I know what you are thinking, easier said than done, life is busy etc, and yes, sometimes it’s just never possible to attend a sports day. My answer to that is to make time, to organise yourself and make arrangements to make sure you are at their school play, sports day and whatever it maybe. I have learnt over the years your children remember you being there with a huge smile of pride on your face, and for that moment you have made their day, mum and dad came to watch me.

Last week my eldest daughter jetted out to Cyprus with her partner for their summer holiday. My son, who is 19 years old, brought home his girlfriend for us to meet and I might add it’s the first girl he has ever brought home for us to meet. My 20 year old daughter is coming to the end of her training as a nurse and will start work full-time in a month or so.

I remember the first day they started school, and when my mother used to say to me that it doesn’t seem like yesterday you started school, now I know what she meant. It’s exactly how I feel now.

Time stands still for no-one and I’m in genuine disbelief that my three older children are now fully grown adults making their way in the world. I think I hopefully crammed as much as I could into their childhood to give them and me wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

I have always felt fortunate to have older children and six year old twins, it has made me more determined to not miss any of my six year old twin girls milestones or events they are involved with. Because experience has taught me you cannot get that moment or memory back.

Do you try to remember every little moment through your children’s childhood? I would love to hear.