Cherish the moment

The day hasn't started off well. The alarm didn't go off, so I had to skip my morning shower in order to get Eva up and ready for school. As Eva and I were leaving for school, Joey comes down the stairs! It's only 7:30, and he really shouldn't be up yet! When I come back home, Eddie is now up (Joey woke him up when he went back into their room, grrr), so now I have to make breakfast. But first, I get my coffee going. Then I start making breakfast, cheesy scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage patties. Eddie is standing next to me, watching me and talking. And talking. And talking!!!!! He tells me about the cat that went up the tree and was scared and couldn't come down. So he went to get the ladder behind the house, but it was too short, so he went and got his fire truck with the the REALLY big ladder and rescued the kitty. And even though it had a bushy tail, it wasn't a squirrel, but a cat. And he's cold. Must be because he was thinking how fun it would be to make snow angels all day. And that ice is slippery, just like the soap in the bath tub. And it would be cool if there were snow cats. An on, and on, and on. And as were sitting at the table, eating breakfast, I get a lump in my throat and tears come to my eyes. Even though Eddie has been talking non-stop for over a half hour now and I could be REALLY irritated by it, I realize that at this time next year, there will be no chats, no leisurely breakfasts, for they will be in kindergarten and my house will be quiet at this time. So I start to really listen to him, and I ask questions, and I cherish his wonderful imagination.