When I look back, I see three Gracos.
Bulky, crumb-filled reminders of the road I am currently navigating — motherhood with little kids. Not little in the sense of bottles or diapers or insane sleep deprivation (I already earned that gold star, thank you very much)… but little enough to require five-point harnesses, 5T clothing, and 500% of my energy.
As I stare at those [rarely empty] car seats, I inevitably hear the sentimental warning. You know the one.
“Enjoy it, momma. It goes so fast.”
Then I sigh. Because truth be told, I don’t always enjoy it. Time actually goes painstakingly slooooow when you’re in the thick of littleness. An hour can feel like ten years, and the only things going noticeably “fast” are nap time and the draining of my patience.
Then I sigh again. Because I know it’s true. I do. I know these days are a sweet slice of my story, and I will undoubtedly long for them once they are long gone.
So I rearrange the letters in GRACO and thank God for my CARGO. Three precious, pint-sized passengers who fill the backseat of my car and the forefront of my heart… who call ME mom (6,273 times a day)… who trust my sense of direction… and who continuously teach me to just enjoy the ride.
May we all embrace whatever road we are traveling.