Flashback Friday: Remembering a bit of it all

While I was getting nostalgic over my birthday, I decided to go all out and reminisce about everything.  I tend to do this more regularly as I get older, as we grow our family, and as significant days come and go on the calendar.  Today is one of those days.  August 26, 1919 was the day my beloved grandfather was born.  He got married on August 26th, as well, to the love of his life, my grandmother, whom he adored just as much on their last day together as I'm sure he did on their first.  I've written about him a lot.  A great man, he was.  And on this day, every year, I miss him a little extra than I do on every other day of the year.

I remember when I found out that I was pregnant with Ben.  We had lost Grandpop just two months earlier.  After he was born, I remember feeling sad that my children would never know him.  The same can be said for his wife (my grandmother) and my maternal grandfather, who passed before him.  But as long as I remember him, I'm going to tell my stories about him.  Because, well, he was awesome.  And the kind of man every man should be.

As our family continues to grow, I'm brought back to that same place of realization - that my kids will never have the privilege of knowing their great-grandfather.  And he will never have the chance to meet them.

Now I am a parent, not even a grandparent, and I have that strange honor and joy of watching my sweet kids grow up in the blink of an eye.  Grandpop always used to say we were growing up too quickly.  I now have a small understanding of that - thinking back on each of their sweet lives and remembering how quickly it all goes by, and praying that they turn out to be people of character, just like my grandfather was.

I remember each of them as a tiny infant - in my arms - so wholly reliant on Sam and I to care for them.

 

There's the joy of seeing them become independent two year olds - so vivacious and ready to take on the whole world, just like Sarah is right now.

 

Before I know it, they're off to school - and facing their 5th birthday, just like Abby is at present.

Then, what feels like a few days later, they're about to turn eight, mature and confident, independent (more so and in a more timely manner than when they were just two years old), and just as amazing as the day I first laid eyes on them.  And I wonder - where has the time gone?

While my grandfather doesn't know my babies here on this earth - I do.  And I'm thankful for each and every day I have with them.  Even, and sometimes especially, on the days they drive me absolutely insane.

The days are long, but the years are short. 

No matter how old you are.

Flashin' back to every day before now that I've had the joy of being "Mom" to these beautiful babies,  remembering with gratitude the time I shared with Grandpop, and feeling blessed to be the bridge between these two incredible generations. 

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.  ~George Eliot