Another New Year

It's another new year, another new decade even. But more than that it's another new day. Every single day is another new day. While I realize that new days are far more common than new years, I believe that if we treat each one as a gift, we'll be far happier and get way more done. My resolution for this year is to cherish each day as it comes, to pack as much living into every 24 hour period as I can, to make as many wonderful memories with my kids as possible so that when they've moved away and I'm left alone with just my husband, I can look back on these days and know that I lived them fully. So that when my kids tell their own kids about their childhood, they can remember it fondly, they can tell their children that their parents were good parents who invested in their childhood and created joy and learning and memories.

So many New Year's Resolutions are forgotten by week 2- or sooner- but I can't afford to forget this one. My children are teenagers and I know they won't be living in my home, under my roof, for a whole lot longer. It seems like yesterday they were tiny babies, then they were starting kindergarden, and now I have one in college, two in high school and one in middle school. Where has the time gone? If the last 19 years has gone by this quickly, the next 5 will be gone in a blink and I'll have an empty nest.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are times (usually when I'm washing 8 loads of laundry a day or picking up some discarded project or another) when I think I can't wait for my nest to be empty and tidy finally. But then I have to wonder, how will I deal with the quiet all the time? What will I do with those hours I now spend cleaning and doing laundry? Will I end up being one of those annoying old ladies my kids will hate having around because I'm bored and demanding to be included in their everyday lives? Gosh I hope not. I will have to find things to entertain myself with but in the meantime, while my children are still here and I have loads of laundry to do and clutter to pick up, I resolve to enjoy it and try so very hard not to take these final years with my kids for granted.

What are your resolutions this year?