Grand Thoughts: Watching them grow -- and wishing it would slow

A milestone is approaching and it's already making me a little sad.

My 4-year-old granddaughter Evie will be in kindergarten next year. She is attending pre-school, but she goes just three days a week. On the fourth day, she goes to work with her mother and, on the fifth day, she stays with me (I work four days a week). I also keep my grandson, William, 2, on that day.

Karen Nazor Hill

The day starts out at around 7:30 a.m., with Evie and William running into my arms yelling, "Mom! Mom!"

Even though we see one another almost every day and they spend every Wednesday night and every other weekend with me, when they run into my arms and hold on for dear life, it's as though they haven't seen me for months. It's such a wonderful start to my day.

Of course, the next thing they do is to tell me they're hungry.

You see, the thing about being 62 is that you have firsthand knowledge about how fast time flies. I can close my eyes and visualize my own children running into the house and into my arms. I actually had my adult daughter, Karah, in my arms one night last week when she gave me a heartfelt hug while picking up her three dogs, which I kept while she was in Chicago at a conference. Karah, thankfully, is affectionate and her hugs are as important to me as my grandchildren's.

My oversensitive self can already see Evie heading off to college. And, my goodness, she brings so much joy into my life, what will I do when I don't get to see her - or Tilleigh and William almost every day?

Of course, I want my grandchildren to grow up and live independent and happy lives, and milestones such as kindergarten, high school, college, etc., are all part of that path. I just want it to go by slowly.

My late father told me to stop and smell the roses and today, more than ever, I know what he means.

I've been so incredibly blessed with these babies and I want to absorb and enjoy every second I have with them. I love hearing the girls' high-pitched voices and William's belly-gut laugh. I love their appreciation of being with family, playing and being loved. I don't want them to experience heartache (like most of us have), and I want them to always know what I know - life is a gift.

So, as I prepare myself to see my little girl go from pre-school to kindergarten, I remind myself of all I have to look forward to as she grows. And, meanwhile, I'll hold on tight.

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.