Summer is Almost Gone And Time is Picking up Speed!

"Time Flies When You're Having Fun."  I've heard-and used-that cliche a thousand times over the years, but it's a familiar saying because it's so true.  Thanks to my cat Ozzie's intestinal distress at 5:30 this morning (and my subsequent stepping in cat barf in my bare feet) I found myself wide awake and in the kitchen much earlier than I usually am.  After I poured a cup of coffee and eyed the family calendar, I realized it was time to flip the page to September.  How can it be that summer is almost over? Where did the time go?

Yes, I know the kids are back in school but today's high is supposed to be 102.  I spent hours watering my poor pathetic garden yesterday, and as I sit INSIDE my house writing this I'm breaking a sweat. 

What do you mean the pool is closed during the week and only open one more weekend? How can it be that in a few more days, the fashionistas of the world will pooh pooh my white shorts and sandals as out of season?  And don't even talk to me about Christmas being less than four short months away.

Yes, time is flying by.  Most of the time I still feel like a young woman (at least until I look in the mirror or work out at The Boxing Gym). 

It seems like just yesterday I was in high school, and then college; how is it possible I am now the MOTHER of both a high school and college student?  And just a few years after that, I was a young bride, nervously walking down the aisle; today I am an actual MOTHER-IN-LAW.  Then I was attending baby showers; first my own, and then those of my friends, all of us anticipating and celebrating impending parenthood. 

Today, I'm attending baby showers for my friends' children, and many of my friends are GRANDPARENTS.  I'm not one yet, which is okay for now because I still have to come up with a cool nickname which doesn't make me feel old.  So far, "Granny K" isn't cutting it.  And yes, I have been to quite a few 50th birthday parties in recent years, and while I am the "baby" of my social circle, the title is pretty meaningless at this point, since I am nearing the big 5-0 myself. Where on earth did the time go?

I remember being a frazzled young mother, wondering if my son would EVER go down for a nap so I could have an hour of peace and quiet (and a shower). 

I remember the week before Christmas, when my stepdaughter came home with the flu, and naturally my daughter and son came down with it too.  Suffice it to say it was an exhausting week and my cat Ozzie's "performance" this morning pales in comparison to three kids with the flu. 

I remember many violin and choir concerts, school plays, gymnastics meets and softball tournaments and soccer games.  I remember back to school paperwork and homework assignments...and grousing to my mother about it, who told me that before I knew it my children would be grown, and to enjoy each moment. 

"You won't believe how fast the time goes," she cautioned me.  And while I have always thought my mother was a wise woman (ok, except for when I was between the ages of 13-22), I was pretty sure she had it wrong, because day in and day out there were times when I was convinced they would NEVER grow up. 

But they did.  My beautiful stepdaughter (who not that long ago, or so it seems, was the cute little seven year old flower girl in MY wedding) has been happily married for more than two years. 

My daughter, that precocious redhead who charmed strangers with her gorgeous curls and endearing baby chatter, is now a sophormore at Auburn University, 600 miles away from home. 

And that sweet little blond boy who loved dinosaurs, my BABY, is now DRIVING himself to and from Parkway South, where he is now officially an upperclassman. 

So Mom, this one's for you.  You were right.  I look back now and the time went so fast.  Sure, there have been a few bad times over the years, but mostly it's been a wonderful life, and a lot of fun.  I have great kids, a loving husband, wonderful parents and extended family, and a big goofy circle of friends that I adore. 

And so here it is September, 2011, another turn of a calendar page, the end of summer.  While I'm sort of stunned that the year has gone by so fast, I look forward to what lies ahead, because that old cliche is true...Time really DOES fly when you're having fun. If you don't believe me, ask my mom. 

On that note, congratulations, Mom and Dad on celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary last month.  You guys ROCK.  I love you!