One of my favorite quotes, by an unknown author, is "Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away." Though I've always loved it, it took on a very special meaning for me yesterday, during a spontaneous dance with my 2-year-old.
Lukas was at a birthday party, leaving Alex with plenty of Mommy-and-me-time. On the satellite radio, the song "Mr. Bojangles" (the fabulous Robbie Williams rendition, seen here on youtube) began to play. I scooped Alex up, telling him how much I liked the song, and began to dance with him. As we twirled around, he tossed his head back and laughed a gorgeous laugh, prompting tears of joys to well up in my eyes.
I began to think of life as a series of snapshots, ones that we might not be able to physically take with a camera, and that might well fade with time, but snapshots nonetheless. I wondered what other moments that day fit this description - the way the boys began to tickle eachother when they woke up in the morning, blowing on eachother's bellies - the way Alexander greeted the dog when he woke up, as if to say good morning to an old friend - Lukas running into his kindergarten, anxious to go inside, his little brother trailing in his footsteps.
Yes, you could make a photo album of just a single day, and it would be a meaningful one.
Instead, we have to commit all of these special moments to memory, wishing that they'd stay forever, but knowing all too well that they'll one day be replaced with knew experiences and mental snapshots.
And how about the spontaneous sound bites? I'd commit to memory Lukas telling his self-conscious (and increasingly pregnant) Mom, "No Mama, don't change your shirt. That looks pretty!" Or just the way Alex says "LuTHas". And then there's Alex learning to count, Alex learning the Alphabet song, and so much more. I guess we need to be doing more videos!!!
Perhaps what makes me saddest of all is the fact that Alexander, like his brother, is growing up quickly. Soon, there will be a new baby in our family, and Alexander will be the big brother. In a lot of ways, I suppose we've wanted that sweet little guy to stay the baby (which explains why he's still not potty trained). But he certainly is determined to grow up, and the amount of times that we can twirl around with him in our arms - giggling - are indeed numbered.
As I write, Alex has decided to join me in the living room (first thing in the morning), PJs and sunglasses on. Yet another snapshot. Just what memories will we capture today?
May today bring you many moments, or mental snapshots, that take your breath away.
