You Won't Believe the Difference a Year Makes

You've heard the quotes about time.

"Time heals all wounds." 

"Time is the longest distance between two places." 

"There is no time like the present."

"You may delay, but time will not." 

"There is a time for everything."

Time is a curious thing.  Sometimes it passes agonizingly slow, and other times it seems to fly by before you have a chance to breathe.  There are times when it seems to stand still, and there are times that you wish you could freeze the moment.

I've been more acutely aware of time these past few weeks.  I'm not sure if I'm getting older and nostalgic, or if it is the holiday season, or just lovely hormones.  But there have been several occasions lately where time has seemed to be in the forefront of my mind.  And I've done some pondering.  And here is what I want to say.

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

At the end of the year, we tend to look back while also looking forward.  We think about the things that we have accomplished, and we set new goals for ourselves.  Sometimes we look back with a sigh of relief that a year is over.  Other times we wish that we could stop the clock, or go back to a specific moment.  And most of the time we feel a big combination of the two.

But no matter what, time brings change.

So to the high schooler wishing to grow up faster...

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

Right now you may dread the monotony of the same beige lockers every day, but next year when you stand alone at freshman orientation with your heart pounding in your ears, you'll long for that senior year again.  Go to every school event, cheer your heart out at the Friday night games, laugh with your friends over stupid senior pranks.  You only get to be young and free for a little while.  Enjoy it.  You won't believe the difference a year makes.

To the heartbroken girl...

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

Hurt is acute, but time really does heal.  I don't think it makes it go away, and part of your heart may always feel a pang at certain times, but the gut-tearing awful soul-crushing pain of heartbreak... that will go away.  Just get through a day at a time.  

You won't believe the difference a year makes. 

To the college student who feels like she never leaves the library...

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

You have professors with deadlines and you live off of coffee and spaghettios, and that's okay.  Work hard.  It will pay off.  Before you know it, you'll hear Pomp and Circumstance.  And all of those late nights and early mornings... they'll be worth it.  

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

To the newlywed who is trying to adjust and thinking that you are doing everything wrong...

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

Sure, you didn't know it would be so hard, and you are wondering if its okay.  Of course it is.  Everyone has trouble getting used to spending every second with someone and negotiating the rocky waters of finances and home ownership.  Hang in there.  You're doing fine.

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

To the young mom-to-be who thinks she may not make it through another day if she pukes one more time... you won't believe the difference a year makes.  Sure, even the thought of your favorite food now makes you want to run for the bathroom, but you just wait.  In a year, you'll be holding a cooing infant.  You won't believe the difference a year makes.

To the ones going through crisis...

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

It is SO hard right now, with your finances or health or loved ones.

But time can heal.  And in a year you will look back and think... wow, I've come so far.

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

To the new mother who is panicking that she has no idea what she is doing...

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

A brand new person was placed in your arms and you are expected to know them.  And the long nights and fussy mornings are grueling.  You'll get through it.  You'll adjust.  And on top of all of that, you'll wish for these moments back.  Because they go so fast.  And that new-mom body that you hate?  It'll go away.  You won't believe the difference a year makes.

To the mother of toddlers who wonders if there is life beyond the dirty diapers and cheerios...

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

You'll think those days when you can't manage a shower without being interrupted will never end, and then you'll find yourself at home in a house that is completely silent while your kids are in school... just counting down the minutes until the school bus rounds the corner.

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

So you know what I think?

This year, I'm going to take naps.  I'm going to let the dishes sit, and snuggle when the little girl says, "Mommy watch the movie with me."  I'm not going to sweat the small stuff.  When the house is a wreck and the kids are fighting and I think my life may end... 

I'm going to try to hold tight to this truth...

You won't believe the difference a year makes.

I don't want to get through my life.  I want to live it.  I don't want to spend my days wishing for moments that have passed already.  I want to look back and think... that was great...and I rocked it.  Less stressing, and more smiling.

You won't believe the difference a year makes.