My OB/GYN when my second was born said, "Enjoy this time; it's that 'velvet' time." I looked at her and smiled, as if I knew what she meant, but I had no clue. I went home, dove into caring and raising two instead of one, and I forgot about her comment. As the years have passed, I have come to appreciate exactly what she meant, and I have even shared that little phrase with other "new" moms when I have encountered them during their "early" motherhood beginnings. Now the hectic household is calm and quiet, the boys are off at college, and I find myself anticipating the holiday time we will get to share together, the four of us, like a "family" once again. In my mind this family time we look forward to is the new "velvet" time! It's full of familiar stories, laughter, hugs, good conversation, meals together, new stories from schools and rekindling and nurturing friendships with other families.
I am making an effort not to get caught up, but to sit back and breath it all in. As I look toward the next few weeks that I know will unfold like a treasured, soft blanket we dug out of Grandma's trunk around us, I will cherish our "velvet" time and try to be in the moment for as long as I can and for as much of it as I can. Soaking it in this year, that's what I'm choosing to do.....
