Cherish them.

As Boston was throwing boxes of macaroni & cheese 

and a head of lettuce

and bags of noodles

and crackers

and boxes of pudding

all over the floor of the store yesterday,

a cute little lady looked at me and said:

"Looks like you have your hands full!"

As I dodged flying grocery items and stuffed pieces of a cookie into Boston's mouth

to try and keep him happy,

I gave her a half smile and a little "Sure do!"

Then she said something I won't ever forget.

She grabbed onto my arm, looked at me with teary eyes, and said:

"Cherish him, sweetie. They grow up fast, and then they are gone."

Her words reminded me of a talk by Jeffery R. Holland that I love.
He said,

"Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones."

I love that!
His words are such a good reminder of what being a mother is really all about,
especially in times where your kid is throwing groceries all over the place
and you feel totally overwhelmed.

(Find the rest of Elder Holland's talk here.)

To the kind lady in the store,

thank you for your sweet reminder to cherish my little one.

I will!