This week I was reading All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience by Neal A. Maxwell (man, I miss him!), and I came across an interesting concept. “Time is clearly not our natural dimension,” he says. “Thus it is that we are never really at home in time. Alternately, we find ourselves wishing to hasten the passage of time or to hold back the dawn. . . . [W]e are clearly not at home in time—because we belong to eternity” (11). I’m glad to hear that problem isn’t unique to me, from wanderlust or mommybrain or what have you. Although this life is a tiny piece of eternity, the experiences we gain here should not be rushed through. They are invaluable to our eternal progress—especially in our families.

This brought to mind a quotation, source long since lost, that a good friend’s mother shared with her:

Wise is the woman who cherishes each season
and cheerfully anticipates the next.

My friend shared this quotation during a lesson in church on having patience. Most of us in the room were mothers, many with young children—and I think we all recognized the very common human tendency to want to rush or move on through the difficult times of parenting.

Focusing solely on the future, the next season of our lives, robs many of us of the joy of today. We dwell on the difficulties that bedevil us now: lack of sleep, kids’ eating problems, overwhelming amounts of housework, lack of time with our children and/or spouse, kids’ tantrums, and on and on. We could all likely spend hours listing the things about motherhood that leave us dissatisfied. For me, at least, after I’ve done that, all I’m left with is dissatisfaction.

When I stop brooding over the “bad” parts of motherhood, however, suddenly my charge is less of a chore. When I look at the cute and sweet things that my son already does, when I marvel at the ways he’s grown and continues to grow every day, I don’t think about the drudgery that it was.

Perhaps hindsight is 20/20; perhaps memory is blind. But as I look back over Hayden’s brief life, my chief regret (aside, possibly, from mildly spoiling him ) is not enjoying him more, even during the difficult times.

So today, I’ll savor the season. Today, I will do the work of motherhood, and I will choose to be happy. Tomorrow I’ll be able to look back with fond memories of the time I spent today. And I’ll be ready for the challenges—and joys—that tomorrow will surely bring.

• Life is short! by Amber(Homeschool Diva)
• in gratefulness by Lora LeBreck
• April Group Writing Project: Savoring The Season by Ivy
• In-between seasons by Michelle (The Beartwinsmom)
• Savoring the Season by phyllis
• A Letter To My Childless Friends by Mama Zen
• Savoring Spring by Daisy
• Savouring the season(s) by Jen
• April 2 by tiffany (threeringcircus)
• Savoring the Season: MamaBlogga March/April Group Writing Project by Julie Arduini
• ‘Tis The Season to Enjoy Some Mommy Time by Jenny
• to everything there is a season by boogiemum
• Makes-Me-Smile Monday: The best of times, the worst of times” by Jane of What About Mom?
• Purpose by Christy
• What a Difference a Week Makes by warillever
• Savoring Spring by Deb – Mom of 3 Girls
• Signs of Spring in Ottawa by Barbara (MomOnTheGo)
• The Sweet and the Savored by Ursula
• Savoring the season… by melissa
• Spring Has Sprung by Jill
• Better Safe, Than Sorry by Jackie
• Savor the seasons of motherhood by Jordan (MamaBlogga)

All of these great entries clearly took time and consideration. Read through them and find inspiration from mothers in all seasons of life.

Now, feel free (but, of course, not compelled) to spread the link love by copying the above list (instructions) and posting it to your own blog.

The Winna!
Chosen at random, the winner of our prize, a $30 Amazon.com gift certificate, is <drum roll>…

Savouring the season(s) by Jen

Congratulations, Jen, on not only winning the gift certificate (again, she was chosen at random!) but also on writing a wonderful entry! The gift certificate will be winging its way (electronically) to you soon!

Still working on your entry? Even though we’ve awarded our prize, we’ll continue to accept, read, link to and comment on submissions through next week.

• ‘Tis The Season to Enjoy Some Mommy Time by Jenny
• to everything there is a season by boogiemum
• Makes-Me-Smile Monday: The best of times, the worst of times” by Jane of What About Mom?
• Purpose by Christy
• What a Difference a Week Makes by warillever
• Savoring Spring by Deb – Mom of 3 Girls
• Signs of Spring in Ottawa by Barbara (MomOnTheGo)
• The Sweet and the Savored by Ursula
• Savoring the season… by melissa
• Spring Has Sprung by Jill
• Better Safe, Than Sorry by Jackie
• Savor the seasons of motherhood by Jordan (MamaBlogga)

Please read and comment on these wonderful submissions—I know I have!

Thanks for your patience; the final list (and the winner!) will be announced tomorrow!

Wise is the woman who cherishes each season
and cheerfully anticipates the next.

My friend shared this quotation during a lesson in church on having patience. Most of us in the room were mothers, many with young children—and I think we all recognized the very common human tendency to want to rush or move on through the difficult times of parenting.

Focusing solely on the future, the next season of our lives, robs many of us of the joy of today. We dwell on the difficulties that bedevil us now: lack of sleep, kids’ eating problems, overwhelming amounts of housework, lack of time with our children and/or spouse, kids’ tantrums, and on and on. We could all likely spend hours listing the things about motherhood that leave us dissatisfied. For me, at least, after I’ve done that, all I’m left with is dissatisfaction.

When I stop brooding over the “bad” parts of motherhood, however, suddenly my charge is less of a chore. When I look at the cute and sweet things that my son already does, when I marvel at the ways he’s grown and continues to grow every day, I don’t think about the drudgery that it was.

Perhaps hindsight is 20/20; perhaps memory is blind. But as I look back over Hayden’s brief life, my chief regret (aside, possibly, from mildly spoiling him ) is not enjoying him more, even during the difficult times.

So today, I’ll savor the season. Today, I will do the work of motherhood, and I will choose to be happy. Tomorrow I’ll be able to look back with fond memories of the time I spent today. And I’ll be ready for the challenges—and joys—that tomorrow will surely bring.

But I haven’t forgotten about the GWP! So far we’ve had ten great entries:

• Life is short! by Amber(Homeschool Diva)
• in gratefulness by Lora LeBreck
• April Group Writing Project: Savoring The Season by Ivy
• In-between seasons by Michelle (The Beartwinsmom)
• Savoring the Season by phyllis
• A Letter To My Childless Friends by Mama Zen
• Savoring Spring by Daisy
• Savouring the season(s) by Jen
• April 2 by tiffany (threeringcircus)
• Savoring the Season: MamaBlogga March/April Group Writing Project by Julie Arduini

As always, I encourage you to read and comment on all the entries!

Don’t forget to submit your entry today!

I know you’re all excited for spring. I would be too, if it hadn’t snowed on my springtime parade yesterday….

Anyway, in honor of this time of year, the theme for the March/April Group Writing Project is “Savoring the season.” As always, feel free to go in any direction that appeals to you. Even if you don’t choose to participate, you can encourage others to participate!

• Your post can take any form as long as it reflects this theme—this includes anything from serious to sarcastic, about your children, your future children, your pet, etc.
• You can participate with a blog post, a podcast, a video, a page on your website, etc., etc. If you don’t have a website, contact me and I’ll be happy to publish your entry here on MamaBlogga.
• Only NEW posts (i.e., posts have not been published prior to 30 March 2008) are eligible. Posts must be submitted through the submission form before Sunday, 6 April 2008.

Why participate?
There are lots of reasons to participate! All entries that meet the guidelines will be listed and linked to here on MamaBlogga. This an opportunity for you to discover new blogs (and for others to discover yours!). In July, I came up with five ways to get the most out of the GWP.

And, of course, there is one more incentive: one lucky post author, drawn at random, will receive a $30 gift certificate to Amazon.com (to be announced Monday, 7 April 2008).

Finally, we’d appreciate it if you linked to this post or to the guidelines/submission form on your entry post so that others can learn about the project and participate.

Now get writing!