This weekend, Rodney and I went to visit our family in Illinois. My parents were babysitting my niece and nephew for a few hours on Friday night. We had such a great time.

Our niece, who I’ll call Maggie is almost 5 years old. My nephew, who I’ll call Ryan, is almost 1. While having dinner, Rodney fed Ryan and it was so cute to watch him acting like a parent. We took turns holding him and playing with him. Eventually Maggie wanted to play hide-and-seek, and everyone had to be involved. So it was my parents, Rodney and me, and Maggie playing hide-and-seek in the same house I grew up in.

We each took turns holding Ryan while this was going on. It was so much fun. When I was a kid, that was my favorite game. I was the best at it. I had a mind for mystery, and I really knew how to pick spots where nobody would find me. Sometimes I would squeeze into tiny cabinets.

I find I’m not so flexible anymore, but oh well. My favorite moment was when Maggie pulled my hand and said to hide under my parents’ bed. It was tough, but I squeezed under there.

Minutes later, I heard my Dad’s footsteps coming towards the bed. There was that moment of excitement when your heart is racing because you know you’re about to be found. My Dad leaned down and pulled up the bedskirt and yelled “AH-HA!” with a big smile. I laughed and felt like a child.

The moment was so surreal because I am 24-years-old, and here I was feeling like I was 6. Then, I became a little sad.

How many more times in my life will I play hide-and-seek with my Dad?

I again felt sadness when I realized Maggie starts Kindergarten this fall. Where did the years go? Is she already starting school?

I just don’t know where the time went. I still remember when she was born.

We’ve still got little Ryan. But he will grow too. And eventually we’ll have kids of our own. Again, the time will fly.

Life and youth are amazing things. I had such a great time on Friday. I will always remember that night.

Rodney - enjoy those times and don’t think about the rest - those are the moments that lives are made of…

Wow I didn’t realize you were only 24.

It sounds like you’re ready to be a dad….

I can relate, Nathan. It seems like yesterday that my nephews were toddlers and now they’ve grown like weeds. Cute story.

HAVE A GREAT TIME! I’ll be in Chicago all weekend. w00t!

What a nice post!! Thats so sweet… Definitely ready to be a daddy.

xK

ps. I’m older than you

Such a great post. Reminds me of my neices and nephew when they are in town.

Wow…awesome post. I too think about this from time to time. My oldest will be 18 this coming October and will start college in the fall of 2007. It seems like only yesterday that I was holding her in my arms giving her a bottle…and now she has her friends and her life. It is so surreal. You JUST gave me an idea for a post this week! THX!

That was such a beautiul moments you captured. I know what you mean. Good times are like flowers, they don’t last. But there are always new buds coming through in spring.