I spotted you at the playground today. The sun was shining brilliantly, practically inviting you to take your little one out for some fresh air. There you were, both perched on the merry-go-round—not spinning, just sitting. You glanced over at your other child, who was joyfully swinging from the monkey bars, while you were with what appeared to be a 2½-year-old. Your mind seemed to drift into a quiet haze, filled with an endless stream of to-do lists, grocery lists, and plans for the day ahead, not to mention the weeks and months to come. You gently wiped your little one’s nose, handed her a snack and a drink, then let your gaze wander off into nothingness.
I watched this scene unfold, a simple moment in motherhood on a regular afternoon. For just a second, I wished I could share something important with you—just one crucial piece of advice. If I didn’t fear being labeled a creepy playground observer, I would have walked up to you and said: Freeze this moment in time.
Pause everything. Push aside the lists, the plans, and the pressures of the future. Like pesky cobwebs, sweep those thoughts to the back of your mind and place this moment front and center. Safeguard a special spot in your memory for everyday instances like this one. Snap a mental picture right now.
Look into the eyes of that toddler. Really focus. Take a good look at the sweet curve of her rosy lips and the high-pitched giggles that escape her. Remember the fine strands of baby hair you just tucked behind her ears, and notice how she lets you do that. Take in the tiny baby teeth visible when she pops a Cheerio into her mouth, and the chubby fingers gripping her sippy cup. Commit those long eyelashes, plump cheeks, and the way she gazes up at you—like you’re her entire universe—to memory.
This moment may seem insignificant, but give it the significance it truly deserves.
Because one day, that toddler will be discussing things like college applications and career paths. It will be just another ordinary day with your teenager, but as they talk, you’ll be desperately trying to recall that time on the merry-go-round, sharing snacks on a seemingly mundane day.
Lately, I’ve found myself digging through my memories, squinting to recall those sweet toddler days with my son—his adorable chubby cheeks and tiny teeth. I crave to relive the clarity of his baby-fine hair and round cheeks, the way he would express himself with simple, silly one-word demands. I keep searching my mental archives, but those memories slip through my fingers like sand. Often, I catch a fleeting glimpse of him as a squealing 2-year-old, but it vanishes just as quickly as it appears.
I wonder what I was thinking back then, during those early days of motherhood, while we shared Goldfish and juice on the merry-go-round. I’m not looking to go back (I’ve long since moved past the days of wanting another baby), and I appreciate watching my son grow up—it’s all part of life’s cycle.
But I do wish for one thing: that I had taken the time to freeze more of those ordinary moments. I wish I had cleared my mind of trivial thoughts and focused on what truly mattered.
So, my hope for you, as I sit back and observe your simple moment, is to recognize that it’s anything but ordinary. It is, in fact, extraordinary. Freeze it. Mental capture it. Cherish it. Place it in a sacred corner of your mind because one day, you’ll find yourself longing for it, and I want you to be able to retrieve it.
For more insights on capturing the beauty of everyday moments, check out our blog post at Home Insemination Kit. Additionally, if you’re interested in resources about fertility, Make A Mom has excellent information on the topic, and Hopkins Medicine offers valuable insights into pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, take the time to appreciate and remember those seemingly mundane moments, as they are the ones that truly shape our lives and memories.