Waxing Nostaligic

Today was the Primary program in our ward. As always, Anna did really well, singing and smiling and giving her little line with gusto. Alyssa held up a picture and played with her bow when she was supposed to be singing. Yeah, some things never change.

Actually, some things do change. It occurred to me, as I stood there watching my eleven-year-old towering above the rest of the kids, that this was Anna's last Primary program. Ever. (Or at least, until she's called as a Primary teacher a few years hence, and that's just not the same.)

Now, I'm a rather sentimental chap, and I have to admit getting a little misty eyed at the realization. But I'm not suffering from any of this wanting to hold on to the past, at least not right now, and at least not where Anna's concerned.

We watch a lot of home movies at our house, at Alyssa's request. Actually, it's not so much a request any more, now that Alyssa can drive the VCR and DVD all by herself.

Anyway, Kara and I were watching some video from 8 years ago, and Kara said "I am so glad Anna is grown up now."

I have to agree. The three-year-old fireball that was my firstborn took a lot of energy and patience. Kara doesn't think she has enough patience for something like that any more. I'm darn sure I don't have it.

And yes, I know the teen years are right around the corner, and they can take just as much patience as the diaper days - if not more. But I think it's a different kind of patience.

A kind I think I might still have in reserve somewhere.

Comments

Tristi Pinkston said…
You sound so optimistic about the teenage years ... my daughter turned twelve this year and I'm already exhausted by it. Can you share your secret?
10/19/08, 9:11 PM
Don said…
The secret to my optimism is the same as always - a healthy dose of delusion.
10/20/08, 6:00 AM
Stephanie Humphreys said…
I just finished writing our program which will take place on November 9. As I started writing it I realized it is my youngest daughter's last one. They grow up so fast. I have two teenagers all ready, and so far so good. (Still keeping my fingers crossed.)
10/20/08, 12:36 PM
Jewel Allen said…
Sweet post. My kids just had their primary program, too. My son who is going to be 11 this week looked so grown up, I'm kind of getting teary just thinking of him moving on.

I have a 13 year old, and Young Women's has been so exciting for her and for me (I was just called in to be 2nd counselor).

Each stage seems to be as marvelous as the one before.
10/21/08, 7:45 AM
Serious Sam said…
I don't even want to think about my daughters growing up.
10/21/08, 9:27 AM
ali cross said…
That was a sweet post Don. My boys have their primary program in a couple weeks and Xan has the longest piece he's ever had. He's feeling pretty proud of it. Charlie, for once, isn't complaining about participating, which is amazing and wonderful!

I always get teary and nostalgiac at these programs ... I can't imagine realizing it's their last one. I still have four more to look forward to!
10/21/08, 10:48 PM
Anna said…
I also believe the different kind of patience dealing with a 3 year old and a 13 year old. Granted, my oldest is only 4, so I have no personal expertise.

I LOVE my kids, and I am going to enjoy them as much as I can while they are young. I'm not wishing for the time to go by fast at all.

But I really do enjoy the idea that someday they won't be quite as dependent on me as they are now. I love that my 4 year old can dress himself and get his own water from the fridge. I do things for them because I love them, but I can't wait until they can do things for themselves. Someday I won't have to cut up french toast, pour milk, move the chair over so they can wash their hands, etc.

But I'm sure teenager years will be difficult in other ways. Just not the same ways.
10/22/08, 2:25 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Canoe-Paddling Polynesian Guys

Image
We have finally hung a picture on the wall here in our house. The fact that this is a blog-worthy event eighteen months after moving in is, I admit, rather pathetic. But it is also very exciting. I finally feel like we are really moving in. Slowly but surely we're picking away at the projects that need to be done, and (for now) avoiding the temptation to take on any new ones. This picture is called Hoe Kama Kani , which means "paddle with the wind." We found this picture at a home show in Honolulu while we were students, and I just fell in love with it. I stood there and stared at the picture for quite some time, but I simply couldn't justify the $140 price. The salesman told us that they had a smaller print available for much less, but they had sold out at the show. We could look at it if we came by the studio the next week. Unfortunately, the little 8x10 just didn't have the same effect as the full size print. So as you can see, we bit the bullet, got the big on
Read more

Lyme Disease Awareness: Kara's Story

Image
With May being Lyme Disease Awareness Month, I want to share my “story” in hopes that someone will benefit from it – either by letting you know you are not alone or by helping you or someone you love receive a correct diagnosis. I have divided it into chapters so if you need to take a break, you can easily find where you left off. Truthfully, this is only a small snapshot of what I went through.    Chapter 1: The Beginning Up until 1999, I was an active, busy young woman. I was happily married and had a beautiful daughter and another baby on th e wa y. I loved being a mother. I also liked gardening, enjoyed nature and had fun inventing new recipes in the kitchen. Italian food was my favorite thing to make and, above all, eat! Well, that and sushi.   In December 1998 while I was pregnant with daughter #2, I caught some kind of virus or bacterial infection that was going around which turned into bronchitis. I went on antibiotics for it and afterward, never really felt like “m
Read more

Guavalicious Contest Rules

As many of you know, I grew up in Hawaii, in the quaint little village of Laie . Many of you also know that I have been working away at my version of the Great American Novel for the last little while. Due to a bout of homesickness brought on by a cruel Utah winter, my story is set in (surprise) Laie. It was also in Laie that I learned to love the great taste of guava - the same taste I am about to share with a few lucky people in the form of my Guavalicious apple butter. To enter the contest, simply add a comment to this post that completes the following sentence: "A story set in Hawaii simply has to include _____." There are no right or wrong answers. I'm just curious to see what everyone has to say, both "insiders and outsiders". I also think it could be fun to try and use as many of these suggestions as possible. You can make as many as you want, but your name only goes in the hat once. I will add a jar of Guavalicious to the prize pool for every four entr
Read more