A LUMP IN MY THROAT.....

It's strange how doing a mundane task, such as cleaning out the silverware drawer, when you reach in the back and you pull out a piece of your past, and remember....and suddenly a lump in your throat forms and an involuntary tear forms in your eye. You quickly brush away the first tear, but that is soon followed by many more and you give in, and let them fall.

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While you work you cannot believe that you would be moved to tears by finding something that brings back such a flood of good-- and pleasant, memories. The tiny fork and spoon here brought back a treasure that had long been held in my heart and as I slipped these into a ziploc to give to Jamie and they clinked together, I recalled feeding my little ones, their eyes bright, the tiny chubby fist pounding on the high chair tray, mouth open wide in anticipation of their oatmeal, peaches, or whatever the little spoon had on it, while the happy innocent sounds of Sesame Street played on the old console television in the background. Did I know those would be the very best days of my life? Does a young mother have the perspective to know the treasure that is every single moment? Did I know I should enjoy wiping the baby's mouth and pulling her chubby little body up and out of the high chair seat then chasing her around our tiny two bedroom starter house?

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Do you remember the first clinking sound when they got their first tiny teeth on the bottom, and the pride that a mom feels when she's taking care of her little one, the sweetest baby that there ever was in the whole world. Exhaustion and cares cannot take these little joys away from us mothers.

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To someone new I pass these to, so that my little blue-eyed baby who grew up already (where did the time go?), might one day use these for her little ones. They are not fancy, we didn't have a lot of money, they could have been purchased at the grocery store or been a package topper at the baby shower; but they were loved, saved, and are ready for a new generation of babies, whose mommy and daddy love and adore and take care of of them with much love and a swelling of pride in their hearts.

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Maybe passing these spoons on makes me realize that time has marched on, and my days of raising little ones, and yes, even the joys and the sadness that comes along with it, is going now to a new generation. I hope the treasure of tiny and seemingly modest gifts like this are appreciated, and it makes me glad that no matter how simple, I saved something to pass along and the memories attached carry love to new little ones that are yet to be.