Precious Children

It was the 9th August 1973. A young family started the day like they did every other day.

"You see, Dad hopped in the car to go to work and as he was driving down the driveway, Matthew pressed his little face against the window in the lounge room waving and shouting, "bye bye daddy, bye bye daddy". I think you were playing with some toys in the loungeroom. Then he went over to the warm oil-heater as I washed dishes at the sink. He sat down on the little vinyl foot stool and said, "Come and hug me mummy" and I thought, "Oh there's so much to do and dishes to be done but what the heck." I felt compelled. I went and sat down and hugged my little son. I enfolded him in my arms and we sat just talking, and hugging and kissing. That was the very last time I would hold my child and now I have to wait until Jesus comes when his angel brings him to me." (Words from an email my Mum sent me regarding the Autumn Leaves and a Monkey blog I just posted).


Later that morning tragedy struck.  Every loving mothers worst nightmare! Mum found Matthew floating in a neighbours dam. It was no more than a pond really, but for a 3 year old it was deep enough to end his precious little life. It was five days after he had turned 3 yrs old.
 
I feel a need to share this story today because I don't always spend time with my children when they ask me to, but on Friday I did. I went out to the backyard and played with Monkey instead of preparing dinner and doing a few other chores. It struck me that I am often too "busy" doing my own thing to play with my children or give them the attention they not only want, but need. My children are 5 and 3 now and that time has gone so incredibly fast. I have decided to make a conscious effort to stop what I am doing and go and play with my children when they ask me to, otherwise that moment is lost forever. I will never have a chance to do that with them again at that age.
I've never forgotten Mum saying to me years ago that while we were growing up, whenever we asked for a hug or a kiss she would always drop what she was doing and oblige. That has stuck with me and I try to do the same for my children. Sometimes I turn them away when I am in the middle of doing something and then I remember Mum's words.

We never know how long we will have them for, or how long they will have us for. They are only on loan to us. Every moment counts! Every hug, every kiss, every I love you. They are incredibly precious!Irreplaceable!