It's May. How did that happen? Wasn't it just January?

I've been thinking a bit about how fast life goes lately. In some ways it can feel slow and cyclical. Lately though, I have felt a sense of awe at how quickly a childhood passes by. 

Zoe and Henry were in Kindergarten when I was Henry's nanny as I finished up college. I picked him up from school each day and walked back to his charming house off Ventura Blvd in Studio City. The neighborhood was beautiful and Henry was curious, brilliant, and interesting to care for. We'd collect rocks that he was sure were as precious as diamonds, and he'd daily negotiate with me whether the planned activities like karate or t-ball were able to be side-lined for a play date with one of his friends. Zoe and Henry had play dates together and we'd play at the park, pick pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, and one day we even went fishing at Troutdale. They were so cute and funny; there was always a good story to tell after almost every day as Henry's nanny. Now Henry is starting High School. It seems in the years that felt rather quick to me, Henry has grown up. He's tall and plays guitar, and even wears skinny jeans. 

Today I saw Zoe, and she's beautiful, fun, and had her girlfriends over hanging out in her room. She starts High School next year too, and it's just so strange to remember so vividly taking her to the park to play on the swings. I had the privilege of bringing her to church for the first time, and watching her family come to know God. Over the years, I got to take her to winter camp at Forest Home at the same time I took the kids from the churches I worked at. We'd have special conversations in the car, and she had a deep understanding of God and great questions about how it all works. Today I was very aware that she's getting older. I know I need to spend some time and take her to dinner so I can hear about the things that are now on her heart if she chooses to share. 

As I drove home from some errands today, my sweet Allyson sent me a message through Facebook to tell me that she was getting ready for prom today. I called right away when I heard the news and headed to their house to see this all taking place: the dress, the makeup, the hair, the anticipation. Allyson is my cousin's daughter and I spent a lot of my early twenties over at their house tutoring Ally, taking her to ice cream, and even having adventures around town and making waffles in our PJs on my birthday one year. I remember when she was born, and also having her little body cuddle up to mine on her couch as we read Junie B. Jones and I helped her sound out words. Janice (her mom, my cousin) would invite me to have dinner with them, and we'd watch Survivor and tell stories about our lives. Somehow, life has changed and in the midst of these years Allyson grew up. There have been divorces and weddings, heartache and joy, and here she is...about to turn 18 next month, dressed in a stunning turquoise blue prom dress ready for her date to pick her up. 

As I drove away, the meloncholy feelings of nostalgia and curiosity set in, wondering how things seem to move so fast and all the same stretch out and seem to take a while to happen too. It makes me wonder about my own childhood. It seemed to me while it was happening to take a while, and yet now I realize that there were men and women around me at my graduation from high school that said "I remember when she was born" and to them, it didn't feel all that long ago. 

I think that the thing I'm most aware of is that if these moments pass by so quickly, they're all the more important. A person's childhood is of so much importance in how the rest of the years seem to go that I find a renewed commitment to bring beauty to the childhoods that are taking place all around me. I want to be a person who reads stories, gives hugs, and reflects and cherishes the unique souls that are coming forth all around us. There is great opportunity to create something beautiful if we can allow children to feel loved, protected, and cherished. 

I slipped away from the crowd at my cousin's house tonight, and gave Ally a hug. I told her she looked absolutely stunning and to soak in every minute of this special night. I let her know that if she felt uncomfortable at any point, to call, and I'd be there. There were about 6 people around who agreed that they too would be there for her in a flash given any sort of "smoke signal" phone call or text message. 

You see, when I look in her eyes, I still see that little girl that sat on the couch with me a few years ago, and I know that she probably wonders like I did when I was going to prom how it all went so fast.  Because inside, I know that even though Henry, Zoe, and Allyson look and act like young adults, they were just recently letting me read stories to them after school. 

Maybe it's just me, but I bet we all feel like this sometimes, when it's quiet and we feel vulnerable and young. Even though our bodies tell a story of several years piled up, inside there is a child who remembers playing on the swings and reading stories before bed. The world moves so fast, and it's beautiful to get to live it moment by moment as if we know it's going to pass.