"they grow up... too fast."

My sister and I were having a conversation about babies and fur babies, and this entitled generation that is being raised due to the instant gratification mindset that is plaguing society these days.

Later I emailed her a photo I took of her holding Kismet and she replied:

Holy crap!!! She's HUGE!!! Not so puppy anymore :( Enjoy her at this stage as much as possible. You have to admit, you kinda miss it when you come in my door to be greeted by two little boys charging at you shouting "UNCLE WINSTON!!!!" They grow up... too fast.

When I read that last sentence I could feel my heart sink as it was true, I do miss being run down by those two boys when I came to visit them. To hear them scream those two words, hear the rumbling of their feet, seeing them come racing towards me with arms open, smiles on their faces and sparkle in their eyes.

Even though both of them are in their early teens now, I still see them as the kids they were. Full of innocence and wonder, of unconditional love, limitless imagination and potential.

As I craft these words I feel a lump grow in my throat and a cloud of sadness float in my chest.

they do grow up too fast...

I am happy I got to experience these moments I hold fondly in my memory. I am happy I finally become aware of what is truly valuable in life and chose higher, as these moments are priceless as they will never happen again.

My past self believed money can buy happiness and my never ending quest for it almost cost me my life... if you can call the empty, depressed, lonely, numbed out existence I was living before a life.

Money can't buy happiness.
Money can't buy time.
Money can't buy these moments of connection.

If I had a million dollars would I trade it for one more moment of hearing "Uncle Winston!" and getting run down?

in a heartbeat!

As I close my eyes an imagine this happening, in the back of my mind I do wish a genie could make this come true.

#chasingbutterflies