I at last am writing about Father's Day. Well, the rest of it.
I just couldn't skip writing about this:)
(Don't worry, you'll understand the toy pictures in a bit;)
After church that morning and hearing a great sermon from Larry about, Dads, we went home. We all pitched in to help put 1 of Dad's fondest meals together.
Tortellini with a smooth alfredo sauce, peas and ham.
We all sat down to feast, after being paparazzi.
The table had 4 cameras on it simultaneously. We were teased. Then we all sat and stuffed ourselves pleasantly. And after lingering in our seats at the table for more historic and traditional "Sunday afternoon Dining Room" chats, places were cleared and and the feast ceased. The 1 wish Dad had for that day was that there not be any plans. We just do. After weeks of non-stop days, this wish was so well deserved and granted. Taking the wish into practice, He took to the tv for the Sunday afternoon Nascar race along with Taylor, Chandler, His boys, and whoever else curiously wondered in.
Mom even watched on their bed with Dad for a bit and then finally got her well deserved nap she'd been hoping for for days. And after I spent some time with Nascar, I sat with Maddie and watched some icarly with her. (That Freddie is just too cute;)
As soon as the checkered flag was dropped and Jimmie Johnson crossed 1st,(and Taylor and Chandler squealed 1st) everyone raced to get ready for...Woody! er...Toy Story 3! (The 1 disguised plan of the day;)
I heard this movie was great and such a tear catcher, but just wasn't really prepared for what Pixar had packed into those minutes. I'm sure we were the most annoying row of 9 people making noises in response, leaning out to give someone down the isle an inside joke,"we're totally thinking the same thing" look.
"It's just like Jack!" quotes broke out a bit between the(special;)few Mechling 24 fans when something impossible but heroic would happen. And then those cloudy eye, "something is lodged in my throat and will not go away" moments came.
Oh boy. Sniffs are heard all around. Instant tears.
To me, the scenes of Andy going through the steps of growing up and having to now let go did make me cry, but not because it was surprising or eye opening. No, they made me tear up for remembering that time and those times that are still ahead for me.
They made me emotional thinking that someday that time will happen to Maddie, Harrison, and Grayson. The babies. It made me cry then and now to wonder and hope that when those times come for them, they won't have any regrets about their childhood years. Will they wish they'd played more? Done more. Now, I'm not implying that I'm regretful. I had a really great childhood. Really perfect. (Sometimes still feel like I'm in it;)
The 1 thing I do wish I had know about was that "last day". Mom was just saying, "The sad part about the end of childhood, the end of that want and excitement for toys, is that you never know when the last time is that you'll play. You never have an official, 'Ok toys, today, this time, is the last time I'm playing with you'. You just don't know."
She's right. I can't remember. I do remember the endless days of play with sisters:) I still remember it all. The crazy things we came up with. The hilarious things we did with our American Girl Dolls.
The days where Harry Potter+Friends met life on a horse farm which then led to a chilling game of...Doll Mafia.(Dun-dun-duun.The"bump bump" sound, Taylor;)Oh yes, our imaginations are spectacular. It took many threats to us downstairs!
Even more to get us out of our worlds in our room Taylor and I still share. We had such good times. I'm glad I had them. And even though "play days" are, (supposedly;) gone, I haven't let them go out of mind officially. All 6 American Girl Dolls are actually still here, still neatly placed in this room on display. Displaying and reminding us of those days. I can't remember putting them up, but I don't think I can take them down. Taking them down I'm afraid, will kinda symbolize, the end.
Growing up is such a roller coaster ride. Think about it. You start out steady, excited, a smidge ignorant, and a tad anxious as you wonder what's ahead. You begin straight and steady then come to a climb. Growing up as you climb, the gap between childhood and adulthood is staring at you just at the top of the hill. Suddenly, you feel the Peter Pan syndrome setting in. You may even want the ride to just stop to not reach that scary peak of the climb. But then, as you've nearly reached the top, you get a glimpse of what's on the other side; "Grown Up". Adulthood. Now, you suddenly feel excited again and maybe even want the ride to climb faster and get there quicker. You feel anxious again, but this time, fear is lingering, until a ready feeling comes and replaces it. You reach the peak and just like that, you seem to be flying, top speed down the hill, no control. All you do now is look ahead, waiting to see what happens next. You never think to look back at that starting point way behind you now. That childhood, that is in the past. It's gone and you're forgetting it.
Right now, I've taken control. I am looking back thankfully and happily, remembering. I won't forget the past. I'll keep going forward of course, but slow, and with a reminding rear-view mirror that I'll be keeping an eye on all the way until the roller coaster, stops.
I told Taylor the other day that it always bothers me when I hear someone say,"Wow, time has just flown by!" "Where did the time go?!" "I can't believe how many years have just whizzed by me!"
Guess what? Time, doesn't have wings! It can't fly! You know what the problem is?
Y-o-u. You. Your mind. You're attitude.
Time is steady and never skips a beat. It's just about the only thing on this earth that never changes. Never. It's always there never speeding or slowing, always reminding, and giving. Always there, ticking. You just haven't stopped or slowed to hear it, to see it. You've let that ride keep going at full speed, you, still waiting and waiting for something. Something bigger, something better. A bigger twist, a better turn, and you haven't yet taken control. The only thing coming, is the end. You don't know when, but you know it's coming and then what are you going to do? Wish for a slow reverse? (There isn't 1.)
I told Taylor that I have vowed to never ever say those comments of the wonders about where time went. Because,I don't need to!
And that is a great feeling to have;)
After that Father's Day night, that feeling, that worry I said I had about Maddie, Harrison, and Grayson before, was relieved a bit.
As the movie showed signs of a soon close, the scenes began to hit that home run to you. And as soon as that screen went black, nearly all were still in tears. A few of these were Madison and, Harrison. In the last scene, Dad leaned down to Harrison and whispered this into his ear;" Remember to take good care of your toys, ok bud?" 7 year old Harrison sat in that seat, and slowly, tears began to roll down his little freckled cheeks. He just became so emotional. In a very mature way, he totally understood it all. The movie, the emotion and story behind it, and what Dad was really saying to him.
He was quiet as we rolled home, still thinking.
He teared up again as he was kissed goodnight and asked tenderly what was making him be so emotional about the movie? Leaving this conversation between him and his parents, I left and didn't hear his reply. But he went to sleep that night, still quiet.
Refreshed and his happy self again the next morning, I could tell then and can still tell now that he hasn't forgotten. That emotion is still there but, guess what he's doing? Taking control. He's slowing to an almost stop and taking everything in. Loving and enjoying every bit. Same as Maddie and same as Grayson.
As soon as we reached home that night, Grayson went and found his Woody doll, and held him. All night. Woody has rarely left his side ever since.
Someday Woody, just like my American Girl Dolls, will be on a shelf. But I have a feeling that he too, will be always be there for certain reasons. Those certain memories. Those certain times that did not, fly by. They'll be there always. Whether it be in that plaid little shirt or that perfect little smile of Woody's,
He'll remember those times. And just like Woody, they'll always be there and he, we, will never forget or, regret.
I am so, glad:)
P.s. Just in case you didn't know, Toy Story 3 is kinda a must see.
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