I was listening to my Celine Dion Christmas CD (of course since Celine is all I listen to! And because I’m not ready to put the Christmas CD away yet). I’ve listened to those songs a billion times, but this time I happened to hear the words to one particular song in a way I haven’t before. I was listening to These Are the Special Times. Here are some of the lyrics. (and a link to listen to part of it while you read - I haven't figured out how to post the whole song.).
These Are Special Times These Are the Special Times by Celine Dion @ ARTISTdirect.comIn these moments, moments of our lives
All the world is ours
And this world is so right
You and I sharing this time together
Sharing the same dream
As the time goes by we will find
These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times
The tender times we'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all, one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you
I’ve always interpreted the words to be more “husband/wife-ish”. But for some reason I listened to them as more as referring to a family and not just Christmas time. It really put things into perspective for me. THESE times right now with my kids, while we are all crazy busy trying to keep up with life, really are the special times and the memories I’ll cherish later. Times I’ll remember when I’m old and gray and in a nursing home. Brownie troops or Beehive classes come visit me as an old lady (hopefully someone will visit me) and all I’ll want to talk about then will be my kids and husband and the things we are going thru right now. It made me want to be more careful about making memories right now. So I’ve been working really hard at coming up with fun family activities. Not anything elaborate or expensive. Just things that will build family memories that we will all cherish and “hold in our hearts forever”. I’ve also been really trying to change the way I interact with the kids. I’m trying to spend more time playing with them and less time on the computer. I’ve made a bigger effort to yell less and listen more, and to slow down sometimes and just enjoy the moment. I’ve tried to clean less and snuggle more (yes, me the clean freak… cleaning less… just a little less). I’ve tried to give more hugs and compliments and just be nicer all around. Some days I get to the end of the day and go check on the sleeping kids (I always check on the kids before I go to bed – even the big ones) and I’ll look at them sleeping so peacefully and think, “What was I so grumpy about?” or “Why did I have to get upset about X?” or “I should have spent more time doing this kid today.” Life is so hurried and crazy that most of the time I’m just trying to get thru the next task and I’m always worried about “getting things done.” So this week I held my sick baby who had a fever and an ear infection and I didn’t worry about the house for awhile. (Although, I did end up cleaning while he was asleep because I’m a clean freak.) And I played a game of “go fish” with Lydia, Elizabeth and Michael. And we all had fun. Sure it took extra time, but laughing at Lydia’s face when we asked if she had any “Nemo’s” and she did was worth it. I’m sure they won’t remember the house being spotless. But they might remember playing Go Fish. And I’ll remember holding poor Caleb when he felt miserable and wanted to cuddle (a rare moment these days). So mostly to me, but to everyone else (we all know this but sometimes foreget)… take time to cherish your family today and everyday! Because as the song says a little later,
All the world is ours
And this world is so right
You and I sharing this time together
Sharing the same dream
As the time goes by we will find
These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times
The tender times we'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all, one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you
I’ve always interpreted the words to be more “husband/wife-ish”. But for some reason I listened to them as more as referring to a family and not just Christmas time. It really put things into perspective for me. THESE times right now with my kids, while we are all crazy busy trying to keep up with life, really are the special times and the memories I’ll cherish later. Times I’ll remember when I’m old and gray and in a nursing home. Brownie troops or Beehive classes come visit me as an old lady (hopefully someone will visit me) and all I’ll want to talk about then will be my kids and husband and the things we are going thru right now. It made me want to be more careful about making memories right now. So I’ve been working really hard at coming up with fun family activities. Not anything elaborate or expensive. Just things that will build family memories that we will all cherish and “hold in our hearts forever”. I’ve also been really trying to change the way I interact with the kids. I’m trying to spend more time playing with them and less time on the computer. I’ve made a bigger effort to yell less and listen more, and to slow down sometimes and just enjoy the moment. I’ve tried to clean less and snuggle more (yes, me the clean freak… cleaning less… just a little less). I’ve tried to give more hugs and compliments and just be nicer all around. Some days I get to the end of the day and go check on the sleeping kids (I always check on the kids before I go to bed – even the big ones) and I’ll look at them sleeping so peacefully and think, “What was I so grumpy about?” or “Why did I have to get upset about X?” or “I should have spent more time doing this kid today.” Life is so hurried and crazy that most of the time I’m just trying to get thru the next task and I’m always worried about “getting things done.” So this week I held my sick baby who had a fever and an ear infection and I didn’t worry about the house for awhile. (Although, I did end up cleaning while he was asleep because I’m a clean freak.) And I played a game of “go fish” with Lydia, Elizabeth and Michael. And we all had fun. Sure it took extra time, but laughing at Lydia’s face when we asked if she had any “Nemo’s” and she did was worth it. I’m sure they won’t remember the house being spotless. But they might remember playing Go Fish. And I’ll remember holding poor Caleb when he felt miserable and wanted to cuddle (a rare moment these days). So mostly to me, but to everyone else (we all know this but sometimes foreget)… take time to cherish your family today and everyday! Because as the song says a little later,
These tender moments,
When heaven is so close,
These are the moments I know
These are the special times.
I’m trying to make create more moments like these and notice them more when they happen rather than moving on to the next task of dinner or bath or homework or bathroom cleaning or laundry. Now I’ll stop blogging and get off the computer and go enjoy… really enjoy… playing with my kids.
Nothing like a little wake up call and guilt. LOL. now you just challenged me thanks alot.
ReplyDeleteUgh, a good challenge for Uncle John Bear too!
ReplyDelete