Hold On to the Lasts

Have you ever read the children's book by Karen Kingsbury, Let Me Hold You Longer?

It's a beautiful story about cherishing the lasts with our kids. No one needs a book to remind you to celebrate all the firsts - first roll, first steps, first words, and so on. But the lasts? Somewhere along the way, your kids stop doing special things and you don't often even notice until you look back and say, "huh...haven't gotten to fill in the blank for awhile now."

Well, yesterday I may have had a last with Josh and I'm cherishing it in my mommy heart.

He actually fell asleep during his rest time. Yes, he'll be six soon. And yes, he does still sometimes take a nap.

Sarah, my sweet 3 year old, on the other hand? Hardly ever. She sings and plays and needs to go to the bathroom 800 times during her rest time.

Anyways...it got to be rather late in the afternoon, so I went up to wake him up so he'd still sleep at night. I went in his room and softly kissed him and told him it was awfully late and he could get up and go play. He literally popped up out of bed and walked over to his door. Then, he turned around and muttered something to me. I have no idea what he said as he certainly wasn't speaking English.

This is the good part...

Then, he came over and snuggled into my lap and curled up in a ball and went back to sleep. In my arms. All snuggled and warm.

Oh, sweet mommy moment.

It's not too often you get to snuggle with a sleepy kindergartner. It is quite likely I may never again have a moment with him like that. And so today, my bright spot is noticing and cherishing this precious last with my son.

Life goes by so fast. I don't want to wish it away, and I never want to take it for granted! Thank you, Karen, for reminding me to celebrate the lasts, as well as the firsts.