Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

My dear friend's daughter turned 18 yesterday. Eighteen! Where has time gone? She is a beautiful girl in every way. I admire her and have learned much from her. I am blessed to know this amazing young lady. Yesterday was a day to celebrate her and her 18 years, but it also was a day to reflect on the passing of the days,

the months,

the years.

I am always aiming to improve myself, to become better and more knowledgeable, more kind and compassionate, less selfish and stubborn. Time is my friend in this, and it is my enemy. One day I will awake and be saddened by mistakes I have made, ones that may too late to correct. I will not, however, regret the time I am spending as a mom.

Thanks for the day to realize this, you sweet girl of 18, and your sweetest mother of not-much-older. :)

I am going to leave his hand-prints on the windows a little longer, and play peek-a-boo with him instead. Those messy marks of one who will be grown in a blink will remind me of what I am doing here.