KEEPING IT REAL
It Goes By So Fast By Lora Wimsatt
T
he 10th anniversary of Owensboro Parent magazine happily
have been to read about other
did go by just that fast.
families and their experiences,
I
whether
overcoming
Owensboro Parent magazine on
10-year
challenges, embracing adventures,
their 10th anniversary, wish my
oldest
creating fun ways to spend time
best wishes for many years to
grandchildren – giving me the
together or making a difference in
opportunity to contribute from
the lives of others.
come. And best wishes also to every
the perspective of an abundantly
blessed and overflowingly happy
has connected to the heartbeat of
Granma.
our community and its residents,
I am guessing that most
sharing stories about our friends,
readers of this publication are
our neighbors … our families …
young people, around the age of
ourselves.
my own children, who are just
As
my
I would like to close with just
beginning the lifelong adventure
experience as a young parent, I
a few verses of a poem by Alice E.
known as “parenting.”
realize that there were times when
Chase that I featured in one of the
I wish there had been a resource
the days seemed so long, as if that
first articles I ever submitted to
like Owensboro Parent available
season of life would never end. My
Owensboro Parent magazine:
when my kids were little. Written,
kids would always be little, always
edited and published by people
making a mess, always needing
“My hands were busy through the day,
who were walking along the same
more time, energy and attention
I didn’t have much time to play
path, each issue features articles
than I had to give.
The little games you asked me to;
and photographs designed to uplift
Then again, there were times
I didn’t have much time for you. ….
and support families in a positive
when the days seemed to fly by.
way, and bring our community
How could it be possible that my
For life is short, and years rush past.
closer together as one big family.
little baby was already walking …
What a relief it would have
clambering onto that big yellow
been for me as a young mother
bus on his way to kindergarten
to have read Christina Dalton’s
… playing sports and having a
column every month, discovering
life completely independent of
that other parents were struggling
mine … getting a driver’s license
with the same questions, concerns
… graduating from high school …
and problems I faced. What a help
going away to college … getting
it would have been to find snack
married … telling me I would be a
Do those little things, Moms
recipes, craft ideas and a calendar
grandmother.
and Dads. Do them today. Ten
of family-friendly things to do.
The days were long, but the
years, then 20, then a lifetime, go
What an encouragement it would
years were short, and time really
by all too quickly.
coincides
with
birthdays
of
the
my
two
it
was
For 10 years, Owensboro Parent
I
think
back
on
celebrate
and
applaud
parent who reads this magazine. Trust me, these are precious days. With all my heart, I encourage you to embrace every moment and cherish the treasure that has been given to you.
A little boy grows up so fast. No longer is he at your side, His precious secrets to confide. … My hands, once busy, now are still. The days are long and hard to fill. I wish I could go back and do The little things you asked me to.”
OP
LORA WIMSATT is a mother, grandmother and writer. She enjoys the everyday blessings and adventures of life, especially her family.
12 OWENSBORO PARENT . August // September 2021
