A Golden Moment

I had a golden moment today. We went to the Y pool for the first time of the summer. My youngest son had to take his swimming test, so he could go on the high dive, waterslide, etc. We weren't really worried about him passing it because he passed it last year, but still, he's a little guy. All the sibs were in the water with him giving him tips, probably way more than he could digest. He decided he was ready and found a lifeguard to test him. The lifeguard cleared a lane for them. To pass the test, the testee has to swim the length of the pool in a lane, a LONG lane. He's half my height, so it's like me swimming twice as far. The lifeguard told him to get in and swim the length of the pool, and he jumped right in. From different areas of the very large pool, his three sibs were watching for him. One by one, they gathered to watch him test. I'd estimate it takes three minutes or so to swim the distance. When watching him, it felt like much longer. By the time he was halfway down the lane, the kids were swimming beside him in the next lane calling, "Go, Jon!" "You can do it, Jon." And he looked over at them, still swimming with the biggest grin on his face. I felt like I would bust. One of my biggest goals as a mom is to nurture their relationships with each other, and that moment felt like a glimpse of heaven. It was almost like I could picture these kids, years from now, when their dad and I are long gone. I had this feeling that they'd be okay, they'd be there for each other, and no one would fall behind. I know siblings have disagreements, competitions, and just plain get on each others' nerves, but as long as it's balanced with moments like that, I think they'll be alright. I think it was a gift from God, pure and simple, a little ray of sunshine between the clouds. I'm so grateful for these golden moments because they keep you going as a mom, you know? I was thinking yesterday about what it is that childless people miss. I mean, it's hard to miss a child you never knew or a family you didn't have. What they miss out on are these golden moments. These times when all is right with the world and your offspring. When you realize that your kids will probably not grow up to rob banks after all. And if you never have those moments of worry, frustration and uncertainty, then you can't truly appreciate the golden moments.