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Page 24 October 2017 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Catoctin
advice. Like special dried flowers
ride on this roller coaster of life,
pressed into old scrapbooks, I tried although every single day is a crazy
over the years to press into my I am blessed by every single crazy
K IDs For kids and parents alike memory all the special moments: all moment, ups and downs. Half of
the firsts, the little fingers wrapped the time (probably more than half),
by Anita DiGregory around my finger, the walks on the I still feel like I have no idea what
beach, the arms wrapped around my I am doing. But the truth is, this
neck in sweet embrace. I honestly
mom thing is crazy hard, and it’s
A New Chapter think the feeling of having sweet okay not to have the answers all the
little arms wrapped around you has
time. Honestly, the more I realize
to be one of the greatest feelings on how little control I have, the more I
Earth, like a tiny glimpse of what realize Who does have control, and
It’s a beautiful Saturday morning opposite from all the doctor’s visits, Heaven must feel like. the more time I spend in prayer, and
here in the area I am blessed to the high school dramas, the broken Then, with a blink of a tear, my that’s a pretty great place to be. I am
call home. The sun is shining. The hearts, the never-ending to-do lists, memory transports me back to the still in awe at being mom to some
sound of my children playing in the constant running, the juggling new mommy class I attended nearly of the beautiful blessings in my life,
the distance is ringing in the air. of all the balls in the air. Easy, that’s twenty-four years ago, when I was and being able to experience every
But instead of enjoying the day out what I need. Hmm…what is October a brand new momma, sitting there new day, challenge, failure, mistake,
with the family, I am sitting at the the month of? I do a quick internet with my brand new little one in a and success with them. And
kitchen table, head down, suffering search. No, that won’t do. What is room full of new moms and babies. although it is hardly ever easy and
major writer’s block. My column for wrong with me? October. In an attempt to conduct an (always always messy, there is nowhere else
October is due, and I can’t seem to I look up, glance at the fridge awkward) ice-breaker, the instructor on earth I would rather be.
make it happen. and think about how it’s a perfect asked each member of this sleep- So, come October, I will joyfully
I love October. The weather, the metaphor for my life: it’s an deprived, hormonal, anxious crowd watch my son as he joins hands
colors, the boots, the sweaters—I organized mess. The bills, the to identify the one thing we found with his bride, exchanges vows, and
love it all. But now as I sit here in deadlines, the work schedules, the to be the most surprising about they begin a new life together. And
a heap, I can’t find the words. I have to do’s, all stuck up there being a mother for the first time. I even though he may be grown and
want to make it easy; I could use amongst the beautiful prayers, remember my answer. There was not quite a bit taller than me now, this
something easy, something simple. crayon pictures created with care by much I was sure of back then. I was mom will undoubtedly turn into a
A nice simple topic, totally opposite sweet, little hands, the wise messages nervous, felt like I had no idea what puddle of tears when he wraps his
from the whirlwind my life has telling me to keep calm, and the I was doing, and was absolutely arms around me, says goodbye, and
been lately; something completely family pictures…all the family terrified of the day my husband’s begins a new chapter. October.
photos. And then the tears fall. In time off would run out; he would
October, things will change, again. return to work, and I would be all
As I glance at the counters, I spot alone in the house with this new
them: all the messy reminders, the bundle of joy. But I was sure of my
rehearsal dinner venue brochures, answer to her question. As a brand
the caterer cards, the bridal shower new mom, I was most surprised by
decorations…yup, October is how deeply and completely I felt joy
coming fast. and love: the joy of experiencing
And now with all the proverbial being mom each new moment to this
floodgates open, all I can think beautiful baby and the unbounded,
about is my little one, my baby who unconditional love for this child and
somehow grew up overnight. How my new little family.
did that happen? I know all the Fast forward to today and
experienced moms out there told me: not too much has changed. My
“Don’t blink. Don’t miss a minute. family has grown by leaps and
They’ll be all grown up before you bounds, and will be blessed with
know it.” And, of course, they yet another sweet, beautiful family
were right; I knew they were right member in October, when my son
all along. I tried to heed the wise joins his life to his new bride. And
