Spring Break Encouragement for all the Tired Moms

by Lois Flowers

Several years ago, my friend Kim joined Lilly, Molly and me for a hike at our local arboretum. I was tired and just wanted to stick to the hiking trail, but of course, the girls wanted to go down the bank of the creek and skip rocks by the water like we usually did.

I would have been content to stay up top and wait for them, but Kim had other plans.

“Come on, Lois,” she called to me as she began making her way down to the water’s edge.

Down I went.

Not because I felt like skipping rocks, but because I realized in that instant that such playful times were not guaranteed, that I needed to make the most of them when they happened. Having lost her teenage son in a tragic accident, Kim knew that all too well, and her quiet example spurred me into action.

And not just that day. The girls are much older now, but her words still play in my mind when I’m tired and worn and not really excited about doing something with them.

“Come on, Lois,” I tell myself. “Life’s but a vapor. Enjoy the moment while it’s here. You can take a nap later.”

Note: I’m linking up this week with #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Chasing Community and #HeartEncourgementThursday.

Leave a Comment

22 comments

Sarah Donegan March 16, 2017 - 2:44 pm

Life is flying by and I find myself being tired too. Great motivation to make those memories!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:11 pm

Sarah, aren’t you glad there’s always grace when the nap takes precedence, though? Thirty minutes on the couch can make a card game later in the day so much more enjoyable!

Reply
Brenda March 16, 2017 - 10:46 am

I’m so sorry your friend lost her son. 🙁 ((Hugs to Kim)) I try hard to live this way too, and you’re right, it’s a sacrifice some days. I always regret when I choose unwisely though, and I hate that feeling of regret. My oldest is 21, and truly a vapor it’s been — 21 years, 19 years and 15 years — the vapors of time my children have been with me, and I feel like I should be a mother of toddlers still. — Thanks for sharing this reminder to be present with #ChasingCommunity today, Lois. ((xoxo))

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:14 pm

Thank you for your kind words, Brenda. If Kim sees them, I know she will appreciate them! I hate that feeling of regret too … I’m so thankful for grace (and kids with short memories)! Hugs to you, friend!

Reply
Deborah March 16, 2017 - 7:21 am

Thank you for sharing your heart, Lois. “Life’s a vapor.” We need to enjoy each moment. While I am no longer a tired spring break mom, I was reminded of this fact yesterday as I spent a few days with my 87 year old uncle. Isn’t it amazing how life’s truths speak to us in every season? Visiting you today from #heartencouragementthursday

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:09 pm

I know what you mean about every season, Deborah. My parents are in their 80s and so I’m looking at all this from both ends these days! So glad you stopped by this week!

Reply
Lesley March 15, 2017 - 4:30 pm

Beautiful pictures! And yes, it is so important to make the most of the moment!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:08 pm

Thanks, Lesley! Hope you have a good weekend. 🙂

Reply
Trudy March 15, 2017 - 11:38 am

Oh, to have the energy of those little ones, right? I’m so sorry about your friend’s loss. What grace she must be given to be able to encourage you to treasure each moment with your children. The photos of you and your children are so beautiful. And I love the first photo, too! It gives such hope by reminding me of the living water we need in order for us to bloom and thrive. Thank you for this comforting post, Lois. Love and hugs to you!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:08 pm

Trudy, if I could have even a tenth of the energy my girls had when they were little, especially Lilly, I would be running around like I was on fire all the time! Yes, my friend’s example is a powerful one, isn’t it? I have learned so much from her. Thank you for your kind words about the pictures … I’m trying to learn how to take better pictures of flowers … any suggestions on how to do this? 🙂 Hugs, friend!

Reply
Trudy March 17, 2017 - 4:13 pm

Lois, your picture of the flower is already great! 🙂 I love the backdrop of water. Have a blessed weekend!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:16 pm

Oh, thank you, Trudy! I have learned lately that if I want to take closeup pictures on my cell phone, I need to do it while wearing my reading glasses. Otherwise I can’t see if the picture is blurry or not. (The joys of middle age!)

Reply
Tiffany Parry March 15, 2017 - 11:22 am

My son turned 14 yesterday and I’m so in tune to the fact that time is flying. Savoring the moments indeed.

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:05 pm

I loved your Instagram photo with your son, Tiffany! And yes, the years are just going by faster and faster, aren’t they? I remember when the time between my birthday in early November and Christmas seemed SOOOOOOO long, and now I want the days to take longer so I can enjoy them more!

Reply
Linda Stoll March 15, 2017 - 8:32 am

I’ve got granddaughters who love walking on walls, rocks, benches, railings … anything but the ground beneath their feet.

Your pictures made me smile in recognition …

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:04 pm

There’s a little acrobat in all them, isn’t there, Linda? I’ve always loved to watch my girls move–run, dance, swim walk on curbs, whatever. So fun …

Reply
Natalie Ogbourne March 14, 2017 - 8:42 pm

This is lovely, and well-timed for a week that could easily slip away. Life is but a vapor–our lives and the lives of our children.

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:03 pm

Amen, Natalie. So glad you stopped by this week!

Reply
Jeanne Takenaka March 14, 2017 - 4:22 pm

Lois, yes, life is but a vapor. All too soon, our kids are going to be gone from our houses. We’ll probably have that quiet we sometimes yearn for now, only it will sound toooooo quiet. I’m trying to embrace my boys’ after-school energetic silliness, those moments when I’m in the middle of hurrying through dinner prep and a boy says, “Mom, can we talk?”

I have to choose to set my to-do’s, my schedule aside to be all in each moment with the boys. We don’t know how long we’ll have our kids, and they’ll only be “kids” for a little longer now.

Great post, friend.

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 4:02 pm

Thanks, Jeanne. I know what you mean about setting the work aside to be in the moment. This isn’t something that comes naturally to me … I think I’ve gotten better at it over the years, but still have a long way to go! Lilly talks a lot in the car, so I’m trying to enjoy this time now because she will be driving herself all too soon. Hugs, friend!

Reply
Lisa notes March 14, 2017 - 12:42 pm

I have to remind myself of this too: ““Come on, Lois,” I tell myself. “Life’s but a vapor. Enjoy the moment while it’s here. You can take a nap later.”” Thanks for sharing this encouragement to fully live life!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 17, 2017 - 3:57 pm

You’re welcome, Lisa! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. 🙂

Reply