I was in Dallas about a week ago to spend some time with my family. All of my dear friends in the DFW area are going to read that and say, "WHAT?!? You didn't even call us!" I know, guys. I'm sorry!
It was the 1 year anniversary of my grandmother's death. She passed away on April 14th of last year from cancer at the age of 85. I knew the anniversary was going to be tough on my mom and grandfather, so I wanted to be there to share that with them. My grandfather is 84 and is more active then I am. He spent his entire career as a CPA at a firm he founded, and when he "retired" at 65, he became a certified financial planner and now owns a new company. He goes to work every single day...weekends too, sometimes! The man is amazing. Anyway, for better or worse, Nana passed away on April 14...the day before tax day. Papa still handles the taxes for a few of his long time clients, so he literally worked until around 9pm every night I was there, including Saturday and Sunday. It's a stressful time, I know, but I can't help but think that it's not a bad thing that he stays as busy as he does at that time.
It's hard to believe a year has passed since her funeral. Last year we were out at the gravesite and it was over 100 degrees! This year, when we went out to lay flowers on her grave it was freezing. Guess that's Texas weather for you.
So many things have been reminding me recently of how time goes screaming by. My sweet friend Dana's little girl Sydney turns 1 on May 1st. How can it have been a year? I was at the hospital when she was born, crying and taking pictures as the grandparents saw her for the first time. I took my cousin Carrie's son Thomas to Super Soccer Stars yesterday...his little soccer class. It's the punkin'-est thing you've ever seen. 10 little 2-year-olds running little soccer drills and trying to kick balls into nets without falling down. All the way on there he's chatting non-stop about what he sees..."Tracey, ambulence! Look, ambulence! Look, big white truck! Look, yellow taxi! Tracey, another yellow taxi! Look, yellow tulip! Look, bumblebee! Bzzz!" Wasn't it just last week that we visited him in Neo-natal ICU because he was born 5 weeks early (but still 7lbs. 7oz.!!) ?
I guess being around kids does that...they grow and change so much, so fast. You can't believe they were once so little!
But more then that. I can't believe we've been in New York for 3 1/2 years. Didn't we just get here? I can't believe we've been married for more then 7! As far as we're concerned, we're still on our honeymoon! I can't believe I'm 30. I don't feel any different then when I was in college. I still feel like Kev and I are kids playing house...not real, responsible adults, living and working in New York City. Please!!
I'm sure it only gets worse...time only seems to speed up the older you get. But at this moment, it makes me more aware of the need to savor it. To stop floating through it half-aware. To be a little more tuned-in, eyes wide open. To be more present. It's sometimes easy to look ahead so much that you miss right now. I want to be more involved in right now. Otherwise, I'll turn around again and right now will be a year ago, and I'll wonder where it went.
I completely understand, Tracey! I can't believe I'm going to be 30 this year; I'm married; I'm a lawyer; I have a 13 year old niece! I feel like I'm barely older than 13 myself. Life flies by quickly - your blog is a great reminder that we need to value our time as we go along. Love you, girl!
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