It goes by so fast...

Everyone tells me, "It goes by so fast." I mostly hear the phrase from older ladies with wistful looks in their eyes. Then they go on to tell me about their "babies" who are grown and gone.
I heard the phrase again when I was at the park on Sunday with Jeff and the girls. I took some pictures for a friend and later I tried to get a few of Emma for her 3 year-old portraits. It was a beautiful Autumn afternoon and I asked a couple walking by to take a picture of the 4 of us. The lady said, "Oh, enjoy every moment. It goes by so fast. My baby is 18 years old and off at college this year."
I am beginning to think it must me true, that life really does go by fast and soon and very soon I will think back to "these days" with a wistful smile. I'll remember fondly snuggling my baby at 2 in the morning, tickling my toddler, taking walks with a stroller, fastening kids in car seats while getting drenched in the rain, and shopping trips that leave me exhausted.
It is hard to imagine now, but it is still a good reminder to hold tight to what I have today, because tomorrow they will be grown and gone.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.