Long Days, Short Years

My friend Pam, who is like a mother figure, told me something a couple weeks ago and I have thought of it many times (and even quoted her) since then.  We were talking about the exhaustion you feel when you are a mother of a newborn.  She said, "Oh, the days are long but the years are short." I know that is true.  And when you think of it that way, it changes your attitude about not getting over a few hours of sleep at one time in weeks and weeks, and being spit up on again and again, and changing yet another diaper of a fussy little baby.  Instead you cherish each smile, each cuddle, each moment you can just stare at your little one's face as she sleeps.

I think I am thinking of this more this morning because so many things are reminding me today how short the years can be.

My college roommate, and friend who is more like a sister, lost her dad six years ago today.  I have thought of and prayed for her a lot today.  His years were short, but full.  And I am sure he would be so proud of her and her little family.

This of course reminds me of the pain of losing my mom, and the fact that she isn't here to experience motherhood with me.  But I feel like I understand a little more her love she had for me...and how she served me so selflessly when I made her days long.  I wish her years had been longer too.

I was rocking Ellie and singing to her earlier today.  The words of the song said, "I'm trading my sorrow for the joy of the Lord." And my mind went to my friend who is demonstrating that so clearly now.  She is 31, been married one and a half years, her son turned 6 months on the 1st, and she is now in hospice care from her battle with brain cancer.  But something her mom wrote has stuck with me.  She wrote about how my friend watched her son get his first bath in a big person bath this week. And what did she do?  As she watched him she decided to get in, clothes and all, to join him.  This just struck me so much.  She is soaking up every moment and living it to its fullest.  She knows the days are long, and the years are short.  It makes me think that even a long day can be short.

I want to live life like my friend.

All of this is a reminder today to appreciate the long days.  They are times spent with those I love. Cause the years can go by in such a short time.