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Kimberly Dalferes | Author

Crazy, Southern, Irish Gal, Author

The Small Moments of Motherhood

May 6, 2016 by Kim Dalferes

(Updated from post of May 2014)

Awhile back, on a day when I was walking my dog Taz (I sure do miss that wonderful fella), I passed a mom and son waiting for the school bus. As we slowly trotted past, I overheard the boy, I’m guessing about nine years old, regaling all the fascinating intricacies of the silk worm. Mom listened intently as he displayed his prowess in all things silk-worm-esque. As he finished she smiled and said “I think you’ll do fine on your test today.” His little face beamed as he grinned back. 

When you reach your perch in the middle-aged cheap seats, you are often asked: “What do you miss the most?”

For me, I miss moments like the one I witnessed that morning – I miss the little things.

My son Jimmy is now twenty-five years old, and I’ve loved all the moments, big and small, that I’ve experienced with him. Big moments are easy to remember: high school and college graduations, prom, getting his driver’s license.

jimmy graduation 2013 with website

It’s the small moments that sneak up on me – the one’s that slip into my thoughts when I least expect them. A magazine photo that reminds me of bath time. A map of the US reminding me how we memorized all the state capitols together. A few years ago I saw a pigeon on an office window sill and it had me recalling how Jimmy loved to run through the pigeons that would amass on the sidewalk outside of his daycare center. These are the times that I miss the most.

Jimmy crazed look circa 1992 with website

As Mother’s Day approaches, I’m wishing all the moms out there a million small moments worth remembering.

What are some of your fondest small moments?

Cheers,

Kimba

Filed Under: The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats Tagged With: baby boomers, bath time, childhood, graduation, I was in love with a short man once, Kim Dalferes, Kim Dalferes Author, Kimba, Kimberly Dalferes, Magic Fishing Panties, middle-aged, middle-aged cheap seats, motherhood, mothers, Mother’s Day, parenting, sons, The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats, women

Comments

  1. Tamara Warner Minton says

    May 7, 2016 at 6:54 pm

    So very true. Playing in the backyard, reading to them at night, bath time, introducing them to snorkeling then diving….yes, the little moments add up.

    • Tamara Warner Minton says

      May 7, 2016 at 6:55 pm

      another favorite….the weekly spelling list! I always enjoyed teaching them little tricks to remember the words. They are awesome spellers!

      • Kimba says

        May 9, 2016 at 6:57 am

        Spelling lists! Ah yes, I remember those well.

  2. Jennifer says

    May 6, 2016 at 11:55 am

    Those moments are golden nuggets. I’m blessed to be enjoying them now with my grandson!!

    • Kimba says

      May 9, 2016 at 7:04 am

      Jealous here – I’m in a bit of a holding pattern for grand children, so I live vicariously through others.

  3. Pat says

    May 6, 2016 at 11:49 am

    Oh so true. You have captured this well in words. I miss the moments rebounding basketballs, picking up kids from practice, and sharing bedtime stories. Love the photos of your Jimmy from cute kid to handsome graduate.

    • Kimba says

      May 9, 2016 at 7:18 am

      Aw, thanks, he is a handsome devil. I was a band mom and soccer mom and I too miss the practice carpooling – I found out some of the best tidbits by eavesdropping on those carpooling conversations!

  4. Joyce says

    May 6, 2016 at 11:46 am

    Lol Cuz! You certainly put a smile on my face. A true Joyce you certainly are and that is why our children love us so. Love the picture. We call these blackmail pictures. But like Jimmy my Jack doesn’t mind us sharing. Last year found cute pics such as yours and blew them up and framed them to give to them for mothers day.For if not for our wonderful sons we would not be the woman we are today. Happy Mothers Day Cuz!

    • Kimba says

      May 9, 2016 at 7:19 am

      Hiya Cuz! I am sure you had a great Mom’s Day – with your boys and the grand kids.

  5. Marquita Herald says

    May 6, 2016 at 9:27 am

    What a great photo of your son. I may not have children of my own, but there are several who I’ve known from birth that I feel like are my own so I can relate to your nostalgic feelings. Happy Mother’s Day!

    P.S. The funny thing is the note on my calendar for today says, ‘Did Kimba ever fit into that dress for Hubby’s retirement shindig?” Hum …

    • Kimba says

      May 9, 2016 at 7:22 am

      Ha! The retirement WAS this weekend – you have quite the reminder system there sista! Didn’t quite get into the dress I wanted to wear, but I looked presentable (I hope) and I’m continuing on my quest to live a healthier life. Thx for keeping me accountable.

  6. Laura McManus says

    May 6, 2016 at 9:23 am

    Kim, When I went to Disney a couple weeks ago, my back was hurting and I wanted to see the parade. My 16 year old wanted to go on rides (of course!!) So I sat on the curb and I was surrounded by all these little kids. And I realized that I was at the vantage point that all the characters on the floats were waving at me!! I was thrilled. I don’t want to say I missed my daughter cause we did fireworks later, but its nice to step back and enjoy the thrill of a parade with little ones.

    • Kimba says

      May 9, 2016 at 7:26 am

      I hear you Laura, sometimes there’s a great moment in just stopping and being in the moment, right?

  7. Claudia Schmidt says

    May 6, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Love the picture of your son, that’s what gets me – the times when I find a picture of them when they were babies or toddlers and still very snuggly and huggy and I get so overwhelmed with the memory. Mine are 18 & 20 so I’m right in the midst of the prom and graduation stuff for my youngest and it’s very bittersweet ’cause I know it will be my last. Lovely post!

    • Dudley Adair says

      May 6, 2016 at 9:12 am

      The warm sun on my skin on the baseball/softball field with my children. Milkshake night on Monday night. Whiffle ball in the front yard with all the neighborhood kids. Decorating the Christmas Tree. Looking at the pictures from the annual family vacation that they hated to pose for but couldn’t wait to see. Surprising them with movie night which meant a stop at KFC on the way to the drive-in. The little things are absolutely the best…

      • Kimba says

        May 9, 2016 at 7:34 am

        Dudley, I have no doubt you continue to makes memories, large and small, with all those who are lucky to be in your life. Try to keep Dad and Al honest at the next poker night! 🙂

    • Kimba says

      May 9, 2016 at 7:33 am

      Oh Claudia, I see many, many firsts still ahead of you. And I loved your “torn” post this week.

Hello!

Author photo #2 in colorI hope you enjoy your time here and that you come back often. Wondering what makes me tick? This favorite quote from one of the grand dames of writing, Erma Bombeck, might help: Hook 'em with the lead. Hold 'em with laughter. Exit with a quip they won't forget. This seems to be a good overall life goal, don’t you think?

Hello!

Author photo #2 in colorWelcome to The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats,  the blog of Kimba Dalferes: slayer of king salmon, estate sale junkie, sometimes writes books.
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Beaches, Bathrooms, and Books!

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Sahar bathroom picKimba’s books have been called both “beach reads” and “bathroom reads.” She prefers beach reads, but hey, if the size 11 shoe fits…Read More...

Kim Dalferes’ Latest Book…

Crazy Southern Irish Gal Two-Book Bundle

Humor writer Kimberly “Kimba” Dalferes dishes on a wide variety of topics–from days of her youth spent blissfully on the shores of Florida’s beaches to menopause and empty nests–in her nonfiction collection Crazy Southern Irish Gal Two-Book Bundle. In both titles: I Was In Love With a Short Man Once and Magic Fishing Panties, Dalferes’ crazy Southern Irish gal perspective inspires her illustrations of life’s quirky twists and turns. Together, these books offer descriptive and colorful essays on subjects such as getting a tattoo in midlife, unique uses for kitty litter, handling a rabid bat, public speaking gone wrong, and naked hot-tubbing in Vegas. Dalferes skillfully weaves what at first glance may appear to be dissimilar themes into a tapestry that invokes her life’s motto: live out loud, laugh often, and ‘occasionally’ drink tequila. Now available through Amazon Kindle.

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