We often find ourselves celebrating all of life’s exciting “firsts”—like the thrill of first crushes, first jobs, and our little ones taking their initial wobbly steps or uttering their first words. These moments are monumental, captured in photos and cherished in our memories. The first day of school opens up a world of new friendships and fresh opportunities, while that unforgettable first date can become a cherished story you and your partner reminisce about for years.
But amidst all this jubilation for beginnings, have you ever paused to consider the “lasts”? Those quiet endings that creep up on us unannounced? If you’re a parent, think back to the last time you carried your child, heavy and snoozing, from the car to their bed. Can you recall when you last cut up their food or read them a bedtime story? Those moments often slip by unnoticed, and sadly, we rarely document them.
I can’t remember those final moments with my kids either. None were jotted down in their baby books or marked on a calendar—and now I wish I had captured them. If I’d known that the last time I cradled my son asleep on my shoulder would be the final instance, I would have savored it more. I would have logged it in my calendar: “Last time I carried my daughter to bed after a long day” or “Last time I gave my son a bath.” Those moments deserve to be honored just like their shining firsts.
But perhaps knowing it’s the last time would make it too painful. Think about how bittersweet it is to bid farewell to someone who is leaving your life, or the nostalgia that washes over you the last time you lock the door of a home you’ve cherished. Maybe it’s easier to let these endings blend into the passage of time.
As we age, we find solace in reflecting on the moments that shaped us, both joyful and heartbreaking. If we were to catalog every little loss, the weight of nostalgia could become unbearable. It’s the blurring of time that helps us navigate through life’s transitions a little easier. The firsts stand out like bright stars in our memory, while the lasts blend into the backdrop of our ever-evolving journey of love and growth.
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In summary, while we joyfully celebrate the first milestones in our lives, it’s equally important to acknowledge the fleeting lasts we encounter. These bittersweet moments remind us to cherish our experiences, both the beginnings and endings, as they shape our journey through parenting and beyond.