Will you miss laundry?

"If you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.
If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.
...My sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey."-President Thomas S. Monson

My piles and piles of laundry

Will I really miss THIS?  I would be surprised if the answer is "Yes,"  but I DO know that I will miss what is tied to this and every other pile of laundry...the time when my kids are home and all around me. I won't miss the feeling of never being caught up with the house... the laundry piles, fingerprints on a wall, smears on a window, Cheerios on the floor, dust here and there, but knowing that with this comes the blessing of raising and loving my 5 little ones, I'll take it all.

Just last night as I was on my knees I felt the impression that this time is short and precious.  I can hear my mom whisper those very words from time to time.  How I would love more time with my mom.  How I know she begged for more time with us 10 children.  Now, from her peaceful, dust-free place in heaven, she whispers to me the same message Pres. Monson spoke in his closing remarks in the Sunday session of General Conference, Oct. '08:

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

...My sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives,

that we may realize what is most important, that we may express

our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey."

-President Thomas S. Monson

I love you my little ones, and am thankful we chose each other.

Joyful days & happy dreams!

XOXOXOXOXO,

Mom