The Challenge

It starts early in the morning.

It ends late in the evening.

It's meals, snacks, meals, snacks, meals and snacks.

It's games, coloring, reading, homework, fights, disagreements, lost shoes, noise, running around the home, lost homework, tripping over a shoe left in the doorway, crying, screaming, temper tantrums, shoving, hugs kisses, picnics in the park, laughing at silly knock-knock jokes, sneaking in a trip to the bathroom to catch a breath, story time, wiping up spilt milk (juice, spaghetti, soup, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, applesauce), strapping them into car seats, scurrying around to get out the door to get someplace, laughing, intervening in squabbles, teaching, singing,changing clothes or diapers, testing patience.

It's just a day in the life of a parent of young children and toddlers.

And, it seems it will never end.

Then - poof; they're gone and you are left standing in an empty home; wondering how the time - which once seemed forever - vanished so rapidly....almost while you weren't even noticing it.

Parenthood; the great all-consuming challenge....

And, then comes Grandparenthood; the routine starts all over, only this time around, you are better prepared knowing it all ends very quickly and all too soon.

So, this time around, you smile more, laugh more, enjoy more, and hold on to every minute.