Treasured Time

On a Saturday morning a couple weeks ago, my husband took my two older children out to run some errands and for a bagel.  That left me and my little 17-month old to our own devices.  It was simply a perfect summer morning.  A soft breeze, no humidity and a cloudless sky.  So we went outside.

We sat on the curb,

enjoyed the sun,

and enjoyed the view.

We laughed and played and talked a little (mostly about noses and tummies and pretty flowers).

We spent a little time alone,

And then a little more time together- just the two of us.

In the midst of our play, a middle-aged man ran by.  When he saw the cute little miss sitting on the street corner, he stopped and took off his head phones.  We chatted for a little while and I shared that I had two older children out with their daddy at the moment.  "You know," he said, "I am one of 5 children.  I had absolutely no doubt growing up that I was very loved by my parents.  But I have virtually no memories of any one-on-one time spent together with them."  He continued, "but now when I visit my mother, who is in her 80's, and we have time- just the two of us... oh how I treasure that time." 

This is a conversation I need to remember.  This is important.  This, spending time one-on-one with my chidren, makes a lasting difference; and the encouragement I got from the stranger running on my street is that it is never too late to start.