Girly Mom

I’m not much of a crier.  Now that may seem odd, seeing as how I’m a self-proclaimed girly-girl.  I do get sad in movies and you might see a few tears roll down my face on occasion, but you will rarely see me blubbering uncontrollably.

I’m not saying blubbering is good or bad, it’s just not me.

Enter Trace Adkins.

I heard this song a few months ago.  I’m not so much a fan of country music, so where did I hear a song by a country musician?  Well, I was watching the season finale of Celebrity Apprentice (I kinda hate admitting that).

At the end of the show, Trace Adkins performed this heart-breaking little ballad called You’re Gonna Miss This.

Oh my word!

I was practically curled up in the fetal position on the sofa.  I’m a horrible person.  I’m missing all the good stuff.  He’s right!  He’s right!  I am going to miss this.  I already do.  These are the good times.  Help!  Someone make him shut up!

He finally ended his assault on my emotions.  I composed myself as best I could and tried to go about my day.  But I could not get those words out of my mind.  And even months later, here I am, blogging about how those words affect me.

When I hear or even mention that song, I fight back the urge to fall to the floor, wailing and bemoaning my failure to enjoy the moment.  I ask myself over and over, “Am I appreciating that spilled milk?  Am I enjoying listening to this tantrum?  Am I going to miss this argument?”

I think the answer to each specific question is no, I can live a fulfilling life if no one ever spills milk again.  But is that my focus?  Are these the times of spills and tantrums and arguments?

Or are these the times of learning and laughing and playing?  Am I focusing on the good things about right now?  I know I get caught up in all the negatives to the point that I fail to enjoy the fun stuff.

I relate to the line in the song that says,

“Dog’s barkin’, phone’s ringin’

One kid’s cryin’, one kid’s screamin’.”

Sometimes it seems like everything erupts simultaneously.  Two kids start fussing, the phone is ringing and I’m trying to make dinner while helping another kid study 4000 vocabulary words.  It’s difficult to feel like these are the good times.

But my parents assure me I will miss this time in my life.  They subtly remind me to enjoy this time with the kids.  They smile at the mess my kids make.  They laugh at little things my kids forget to do.  They sit back and enjoy watching it all.

These are good times.  I’m going to want them back.  I’m going to wish they hadn’t gone by so fast.

So thank you, Trace, for reminding me to appreciate right now.