Real Life with Lora Wimsatt

It Goes By So Fast

By Lora Wimsatt

The 10th anniversary of Owensboro Parent magazine happily coincides with the 10-year birthdays of my two oldest grandchildren – giving me the opportunity to contribute from the perspective of an abundantly blessed and overflowingly happy Granma.

I am guessing that most readers of this publication are young people, around the age of my own children, who are just beginning the lifelong adventure known as “parenting.”

I wish there had been a resource like Owensboro Parent available when my kids were little. Written, edited and published by people who were walking along the same path, each issue features articles and photographs designed to uplift and support families in a positive way, and bring our community closer together as one big family.

What a relief it would have been for me as a young mother to have read Christina Dalton’s column every month, discovering that other parents were struggling with the same questions, concerns and problems I faced. What a help it would have been to find snack recipes, craft ideas and a calendar of family-friendly things to do. What an encouragement it would have been to read about other families and their experiences, whether it was overcoming challenges, embracing adventures, creating fun ways to spend time together or making a difference in the lives of others.

For 10 years, Owensboro Parent has connected to the heartbeat of our community and its residents, sharing stories about our friends, our neighbors … our families … ourselves.

As I think back on my experience as a young parent, I realize that there were times when the days seemed so long, as if that season of life would never end. My kids would always be little, always making a mess, always needing more time, energy and attention than I had to give.

Then again, there were times when the days seemed to fly by. How could it be possible that my little baby was already walking … clambering onto that big yellow bus on his way to kindergarten … playing sports and having a life completely independent of mine … getting a driver’s license … graduating from high school … going away to college … getting married … telling me I would be a grandmother.

The days were long, but the years were short, and time really did go by just that fast.

I celebrate and applaud Owensboro Parent magazine on their 10th anniversary, wish my best wishes for many years to come. And best wishes also to every 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.

I would like to close with just a few verses of a poem by Alice E. Chase that I featured in one of the first articles I ever submitted to Owensboro Parent magazine:

“My hands were busy through the day, I didn’t have much time to play The little games you asked me to; I didn’t have much time for you. …. For life is short, and years rush past. 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.”

Do those little things, Moms and Dads. Do them today. Ten years, then 20, then a lifetime, go by all too quickly. OP

LORA WIMSATT is a mother, grandmother and writer. She enjoys the everyday blessings and adventures of life, especially her family.

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