I'll Miss It

 My wife and I haven't done anything medical to make this a sure thing, but we believe we're done having children.  I was 30 when we welcomed our first child and I would be 40 if we had a baby now.  

This is stereotypically something moms talk about, but it's sad thinking of this stage of life likely being done.  It's weird to think that my time fathering little kids is slipping away.

I'll miss so much.

I'll miss seeing my beautiful wife's body change as a brand new person grows inside of her.  I'll miss the first time I feel my child kick my hand pressed against her belly.  

I'll miss them sleeping on my chest as I sleep.  

I will never again rock them until they're asleep and keep rocking them just because I'm not ready to leave them.  

I'll miss kissing them on their foreheads and saying, "I love you.  Jesus loves you.  Close your eyes. Go to sleep."

I'll miss storybooks with pictures that they just have to tell me an observation about one of the pictures before I can turn the page.

I'll miss playing Pycho-Jaws and the doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doot game as they giggle.

My eldest son Joshua is eight going on nine and he has trail blazed our parenting into an awesome new world of camp, chapter books, deep discussions and more grown-up moments.  I have loved all the new things he's done and Anna just behind him.  I really, really, really enjoy where we are currently and I look forward to the many amazing thing each age will bring with each kid, but I know I'm going to miss the era we've left and are leaving.

It's weird to know that much of what I miss will need to wait until I enjoy it with my grandchildren or until we re-enter the world of foster care.

What's the point of this?  The point is this: Do I/we spend time dwelling on the blessing that is God's gift of children?

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalm 127:3

Some of you are long beyond the stage I'm beginning to miss.  Some of you are in the thick of it and need reminding that it will be missed in the day-to-day weariness.  Some of you long for this stage but singleness or infertility or miscarriage has robbed you of the joy you seek.  I feel for you.  

Yesterday was officially Celebration of Life Day.  A day to remember the gift of life and new life and young life and old life.  Well, I missed that arbitrary day, but I hope you take time to celebrate life and smile when you think about the stage of life God has called you to live and perhaps to raise today.