There are times in life when it’s so good you don’t know how good it is because you’re so busy living it.
I have had a few times like that in my life.
One time was with Neighbors that were so. much. fun.
I didn’t know how wonderful it was because we were just doing life; together.
My first glimpse of my neighbor was an early school morning when the bus came.
We both came outside with steaming mugs of coffee, we waved and something instantly bonded us.
Guitar hero play offs, singing kareoke (is that a redundant term?) and so many other things.
2 beautiful daughters and a smart, handsome, quiet son.
We ate together, sat by the river, played games, and just truly had fun.
Life was so carefree in a way.
Even with the pressures of raising children, she a single mom, me a mom with 6 children, we found time to be together.
We flung open the farmhouse doors, extended the farmhouse table and celebrated Thanksgiving with family and friends.
We made memories and didn’t even know what a time we were having.
Time has passed and they moved to another home.
We still celebrated Thanksgiving together.
A tradition we kept until last year.
The other kids went to college and graduated and have successful careers far from Jericho, Vermont.
It has been years since I have seen them.
Until.
Today.
Their youngest sister graduated from High School and they are in town.
They took the time to come visit and sit on our porch.
My heart is full.
My soul grateful for moments like this.
We talked of that time when we made memories and how good it was and we didn’t even know it.
I sat and marveled at these two beautiful young people.
For a moment I yearned for time to turn back.
Back to when they were all little and Elijah was here and cancer was not a part of our everyday language.
But just for a moment.
Because before me were two beautiful souls who will help to make this world a better place.
Two young people who are smart and funny and lovely.
They didn’t stay long.
They had places to be.
In a flash, they were gone.
Driving away.
I stand back out on the porch.
The swing still moving from its recent occupants.
I linger as I recall those days gone by.
The days I didn’t know were so good, because we were so busy living them.
Cherish these moments, for tomorrow they’ll be memories.
