Thursday, September 11, 2008

a quote for the queen of to-do lists

"The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less?"
-Author Anna Quindlen

Sal Gal sent me this quote today and it was really something I needed to hear.

I typed (and then re-typed) a few paragraphs to go along with this quote, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I really didn't need to add a thing. It's perfect in its simplicity and it was just enough to get me thinking. Hope it inspires you live more in the moment like it did me.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

yay. i helped inspire you.

Anonymous said...

awesome post. we all needed to hear that.

Ashlee Davis said...

found your blog through dana, a friend and I were just talking about 'living in the moment' Her daughter is almost potty trained and she was talking about how silly she *the mom* gets when her daughter is successful. I laughed and told her what really gets me is when I do it in public restrooms without even thinking. I think our kids know when we are having a good time and when we are so bogged down with to-do list that they seem in our way!
i will pass on the quote

Kristy said...

What a sweet and true thing! I am someone who thinks that everything needs to be accomplished RIGHT NOW. My hubby is good about telling me to not worry about the dishes, so I can play with the girls. I am trying harder to live in the moment!

MiMi said...

I love that last line, "I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less." I think EVERY mother can relate to this. Thanks for sharing!

Lane said...

Thank you for sharing! I always need to be reminded of this. It's so hard not to be that way.
Hope you guys have a good, dry, weekend!

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

We try try try everyday! Great reminder :)