January 21, 2015
The other day, I was talking to a man while we stood in line at a convenience store. I struck up the conversation by commenting how funny I thought his son was grabbing all the candy from the shelf for his father to buy.
"How old is your son," I asked.
"He's 2," the proud father announced.
"I can't even remember my kids being 2; they are only 5 and 6!" I said.
And that statement is so true. I zoned out while I waited my turn to buy my sandwich and thought about my sons at the age of 2, and for the life of me, I could not recall them at that age. It is as if the three years passed were so long ago. I felt terrible that the age of 2 might come across as insignificant.
It's incredible how much time can cross your mind when you're the third person standing in line to purchase your items from a gas station store. At my son's age, I didn't have enough time to cover.
They were born; now I see them as my 5 and 6. It could be easier to keep them young by telling people when asked, "Oh, how old are they? 60 months old."
What happened to the memories of their first smile, giggle, or laugh? I couldn't recall their first steps or first words. I am stuck on the fact that they aren't toddlers anymore. They are little boys! Then they'll be pre-teens, teens, and then men! Oh, gods, slow time down. I don't want to get old.
I stared at the egg salad sandwich I was holding in my hand. The line is slowly moving forward. On the cellophane wrapper, the date was stamped "Good through 1/27."
"Life is like this expiration date; it will go that fast," I said.
"I know, right? I mean, he's 2 years old already," the little boy's father said.
"Oops, I didn't mean to say that out loud. I was in a deep thought."
"No, I'm with you. This age is great. His age keeps me young."
I nodded my head in agreement.
I paid for my sandwich and walked outside. I decided to eat it while I stood outside my police car to avoid the usual mess that the egg would cause on my uniform because I can be a messy eater.
I stared at the expiration on the torn-apart wrapper. The thought of Nico taking his first steps in our back room finally came to me. Christopher's first steps in our living room made me smile. I'm not ready for my son's youth to expire. I want to enjoy them for the age they are now.
The man left the store, clutching his son in his arms as he trekked back to his car. I waved at him as he drove off. I peered into the vehicle's backseat and observed his little man strapped in his car seat. The little boy was so happy. He doesn't realize it yet, but he has a life ahead of him full of possibilities.
I thought about that. That tiny 2-year-old is living in his moment. There is no fear of an expiration date. I should take his lead and realize that youth doesn't have to expire. I just need to live in the moment and enjoy my kids at every age.
564 words
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