Thoughts on Time

Years ago during a particularly difficult work week , I remarked to an older friend, "This week is taking forever, I wish it was Friday afternoon!" She very calmly said, "You know you are wishing your life away." She went on to tell me how she used to always wish for Friday until her husband suddenly passed away. She then realized she would have given anything to have some of those long difficult weeks back so she could have really appreciated time.
I have thought about her and her remark many times in the intervening years. When my children were small I always wished that time would pass so I would no longer diapering and potty training. I would wish the next year would pass so that the car would be paid off and then I would have money. I wished that a pregnancy would hurry and pass so I would have the baby in my arms. I wished that two years would pass quickly so my missionaries would come home. So many wishes and now I wish I could have those years back so I could truly appreciate each moment of my life. Looking back I realize how quickly those years did pass.
Life is made up of a series of small, precious moments interrupted by day to day challenges. Sometimes we let the challenges overcome our ability to see the wonder of those small moments.
I am convince that the Lord lets us have grandchildren so we can recapture the magic of some of those things. I try really hard not to wish my life away, but sometimes I find myself in the middle of a snow storm wishing for spring. I guess it is part of the human condition.
I am trying now as I am a grandmother, a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a caregiver, to appreciate the wonder of experiencing the small moments that make our lives rich and worthwhile.