March 18, 2019

Father Knows Best

Don't wish your life away. My father spoke those words to me many, many times. Like a self-absorbed teenager, I smiled and laughed, and assured him I wouldn't. But by mid-summer every year, I was wishing it were September. I was ready for a new school year, freshly waxed floors, creased Jordache Jeans, and Friday night football games. During the long, cold days of January, I sat in Geometry class wishing it was spring. After graduation, I spent my weeks in college wishing it was the weekend so I could load my little white Plymouth Sundance and head home. As a newly married schoolteacher, I wished it were Christmas vacation so I could spend days in my cozy, little house baking cookies and watching tv.


I loved my life. Being young, however, allows one the luxury of believing life always moves along as slowly as it does during a long Biology lecture on a grey winter day. Gradually, I realized that wishing for the next weekend, holiday, or season only seemed to make the years pass more quickly. And indeed they did. The years passed faster; the seasons came quicker. As I grew older, I understood exactly what my dear father was trying to tell me. Stop wishing each day is something other than what it is, what it is supposed to be. Summer days will be unbearably hot. Stop complaining and wishing it was cooler. Drink lemonade and stay in the shade.  Enjoy those cooler autumn days. Walk among the trees as they bring forth their deep shades of red, yellow, and gold. Stop wishing for Christmas before those glorious colors fade and drop to the ground. Winter is long. And cold. Stop complaining about the ice and freezing temperatures. Let nature rest like she is supposed to. Snuggle in and read some good books. Sit by the fire and learn to crochet, or watch some movies and drink some cocoa. Spring will arrive like it does every year. When it does, stop complaining about the endless rainy days. Nature needs them to begin again.

As I approach my fiftieth birthday, I look forward to cherishing every day and appreciating it for what it is, for what it is supposed to be and for what it brings to me. Today is a cold, dreary March day. Could it be sunny and warm? I suppose. But then I would miss the cozy afternoon watching movies and making dinner and laughing with my family.  Spring days will arrive. Easter will come. Summer will be here with the long sunny days and ice cream dates. Pumpkin spice days will follow, as will spooky Halloween and festive Christmas ones. I plan on pausing and enjoying every single one, and as I do I will think of my dear Dad with his twinkling eyes and happy grin telling me not to wish my life away because the older you get, the faster it goes!
























25 comments:

  1. Your dear dad was such a wise man, Billie Jo. You are a wise daughter to understand the importance of enjoying each and every season...each and every day...always looking for the beauty in it. I turned 30 the year my husband was promoted to a wonderful job which included a relocation for our family. I still remember waking up that morning of my 30th birthday and how beautiful the sunrise was that morning. It was where our kids grew up...it was home for them. SO many wonderful memories of times spent together in that old farmhouse. The year I turned 50 we moved to our current location because it was closer to our aging parents so that we could help them out. We have so many wonderful memories of times spent with them. They all reside in Heaven now. I turn 70 this year and I'm looking forward to seeing what lies ahead in our future...but between now and then I plan to enjoy every. single. day. with the ideal in mind of living intentionally. I'm excited for your fiftieth year...and each day leading to it. :) xo

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  2. This is such a great post and I can relate to so much of it too! I do a great job living in the moment. However, I’m always counting down the days until the weekend!

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  3. Being 77, I can tell you from personal experience...........dont blink! Enjoy every single day, whatever it brings and dont get in a hurry for the next.

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  4. Goodness, I needed this today!! I'm learning...slowly, but surely. ;)

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  5. This is my favorite post you have ever written. I adore you and your dad! xoxo

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  6. This is one of my worst habits. Wishing time away, rather than enjoying the moment. Maybe it is the vigilant debt payoff that keeps me in this mode. But I really need to work on this. Beautiful pictures.

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  7. Yes, I admit to thinking this winter has been especially harsh and just wanting the weather to be nice enough for the kids to go outside and play, but this is a good perspective to enjoy my time with them inside just as much. Spring will come. Really. These days will fly by.

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  8. Love this! Living in the moment is something I'm working hard on.
    It was really brought home this weekend when my 45 year old cousin lost her life in a semi crash.

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  9. We did spend a lot of time wishing our lives away, didn't we. (statement, not question) The older we get, the more precious each day is, that's for sure! Your photos are beautiful.

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  10. Beautiful post, my friend! And I can definitely relate. The older I get the faster it goes.

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  11. Beautiful. What a perfect reminder, I've certainly needed this post after the speed at which my last week went by. xx Susan

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  12. I love this post! I remember years ago walking out with a coworker after work one day wishing it was Friday. She said the same thing to me...be careful to not wish your life away. That has always stuck with my but the older I get the more it means to me. Your pictures are beautiful. The first one looks like a postcard.

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  13. Such beautiful photos. Moments that should be savoured and certainly not rushed. Never a truer word said by your very wise Father.

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  14. Beautiful words this morning.Thank you.

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  15. SO true! I am in those same days where I try really hard to enjoy THIS DAY, whatever day it is and not look too far ahead. Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

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  16. Your Dad and you are both very wise! So important to enjoy every day, but it's hard sometimes to not wish the weekend and/or the warm sunny weather!

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  17. Love this Billie Jo! Such wonderful words from such a wise man ;O) I treasure every day and season too. Even though I complain about weather around here cuz it's what we do up north. Lol
    Love all the eye candy pics too. Blessings xo

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  18. Timely and beautiful post. Beautiful photos.
    What words of wisdom from your daddy. Funny how we have to get older to appreciate some things.
    Hugs,
    Laura

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  19. Oh, my...this is so true...wishing our life away making years go faster means our sweet little ones become adults long before we are ready. At my olden age, I try to do ANYthing to slow down time...but, it passes..and fast...no matter what we do. We just need to learn to enjoy every day, every moment, every season and then, we'll be happy.

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  20. Thank you for this wonderful, gentile reminder, to treasure each day, Dear lady.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  21. This post made me cry. Your father was a very wise man indeed. Thank you so very much for sharing this post. I plan on putting this into my journal. Your blog is such a blessing dear friend. Hugs. ~Juli

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  22. Thanks for sharing the lovely photos... Your father was a wise man... It's so important to appreciate every moment of life ...sometimes we just need to "stop and smell the roses." and be HAPPY... I enjoy this thoughtful post... HUGS

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  23. I love this post! At almost 44 years old, I’m realizing that time is passing way too quickly and that I need to slow down and really enjoy each moment, day and season to the fullest. Thank you, Billie Jo.

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  24. That first photo looks like something from a Christmas card! And your father was very wise <3

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo