You're Gonna Miss This

I heard a song on the radio the other day and it struck me. The lyrics instantly sent pictures flashing through my head....a rent house in Russellville--small, but perfect. It held everything I owned. It had spiders the size of Dallas, worms the length of the Rio Grande, but I couldn't ask for more. It was a home and to a 20 year old girl, it was everything I ever needed. Another picture hit me....cooking spaghetti O's on the stove (for me to eat), homework every night, a console TV in the living room, a couch out of my Grandma's house. I was happy as could be. But I was ready for more. Ready to graduate, get a real job, real house, real car, have kids. I wanted tomorrow. I forgot to enjoy today.
Another picture came after that. It was Weston's ultrasound picture. He was 20 weeks old in my tummy and looked similar to a dinosaur exhibit at the time. But he was mine--a baby in my belly. Then another picture--Weston at about 7 months old, and sick. It was during the worst ice storm to hit here. I remember the navy jogging suit he was wearing, the bottle of 1/2 water and 1/2 milk I was hoping desperately would stay down (he was throwing up constantly for a week). I remember sleeping in the guest bedroom with him that night scared to death to let him sleep by himself for fear he would choke if he got sick.
Another picture--Kylie in the hospital. Not the day she was born. But 5 days later. She was sick--they thought meningitis. I was scared that I had been given a blessing only to have to give it right back. I remember rocking her in the hospital room, with her IV in her foot, full of fear. Something a 24 year old girl shouldn't have to think about.
Then, it hits me. It's 2008. This girl has a Master's degree, lives in a modular, and those kids are 8 years and 5 years old. What happened? Where did the time go? And more importantly, what's on my mind. The same thing as it was back then....tomorrow. Never really giving much thought to today. Never realizing that I am in the perfect place. I have the opportunity to save money, I have a job that allows me time with my kids.
Why is it that we never really enjoy today...which used to be our tomorrow. It used to be the day we were waiting for. Now it's just a road block to the rest of our life. It should be our life. It's the only thing we have control over. Yesterday is gone. You can't have it back. Tomorrow is a full day away....it will get here inevitably. But today is already here--it's an unsculpted piece of time that you have the ability to mold into your own creation.
Here's those lyrics....what pictures go through your head?

Trace Adkins' "You're Gonna Miss This"

She was staring out the window of that SUV
Complaining, saying "I can't wait to turn 18"
She said "I'll make my own money and I'll make my own rules"
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said "I was just like you"

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her "It's a nice place"
She says "It'll do for now"
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says "Baby, just slow down"

Cause you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'
One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'
She keeps apologizin'
He says "They don't bother me.
I've got 2 babies of my own.
One's 36, one's 23.
Huh, it's hard to believe, but ...

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this"

Enjoy every day you are given...if not, YOU"RE GONNA MISS IT!!