So much life can happen in a span of just a few short months, can’t it? Sometimes, we expect change, and other times it surprises us. There are moments we stand in shock and awe, with our jaw all but touching the ground, looking back with wide eyes at the rapids we have just passed safely through. The joy, gratefulness, and wonder of making it through yet another super busy time in life are not lost on me. And I hope they’re not lost on you, either.
In the last few months, I have watched as our children grew and stretched their individuality muscles, and honed their grit. You see, now that we officially have two teenagers, life is suddenly different. I don’t know how, or why, but it is. Each day I wake up, and I realize that the time we have left with them under our roof is so short. There is so much more I want to do with them and teach to them, yet the clock is ticking so quickly that I can hardly catch a breath.
One thing that’s new to us is our kids having their own complex schedules. There is now only one day per week that we are not busy dropping someone off after dinner and picking them back later. It’s great though, this emergence of self-awareness and responsibility for them. I love to see our children grow and change, even though a piece of my mama heart wants to look for that proverbial pause button. Tonight, when I was dropping them off at one of their weekly activities, I had a realization. I didn’t come to it on my own, though…it was, you could say, spoken to me. No, no, nothing prophetic or miraculous. Someone really spoke to me. As I drove through the manned gate of the military facility where they meet up with their group, the young man stationed there looked me in the eye and said matter-of-factly, “Evening, ma’am.” That was it. Just “Evening, ma’am.”
At that moment, instead of cringing that someone would think I am old enough to be called “ma’am,” (I am…), I took it as a great compliment. As if I had arrived…not in person, but AS a person, to some earned destination that was exclusive and invite-only. As his words rolled around in my head, I looked for a parking spot. I pulled in, and the kids…errrr, teens…jumped out of the car, excitedly yelling “Bye Mom! Love you!” as they jogged to meet their group.
Driving home in silence, I continued to ponder the way I felt when the young man at the gate called me ma’am. I decided that not only did I not mind, I like it. If it was a literal badge, I might even pin it onto my shirt. It would remind me that I earned that stripe. I am respected. I have made it into my 40’s with honor and grace (Ok, well, maybe not so much grace, according to the bruise on my shin from tripping in the chicken coop the other day, but you get where I’m going with this.). I am old enough to be addressed as “ma’am” by a perfect stranger, and I am proud of that. I have come a long way, and have learned many things in this life. We all have! Just think of where you were on your high school graduation day, and where you are now. What trials did you face and overcome? What fires have you waked though? What incredible experiences have you been part of? What wisdom do you have now that you didn’t have then?
These questions are perfect to think about and maybe even journal about! Do you have a favorite journal? I just filled one up, so I think maybe I’ll use my Cricut to make a new one that says “ma’am” on the cover…just as a reminder that I’ve earned that title. I don’t have grey hair yet, but if I did I’d be proud of those, too. For now, “ma’am” will suffice. Wishing you a day filled with joy, and a heart full of gratefulness. Until next time…