Last week, my husband and I loaded up our little family and headed to a local middle school performance. This live show was getting rave reviews from my 6-year-old, Ella. 

“Mom!” she told me. “It’s supposed to be so good. We have to go! The kids in it are really old.”

Age 13 is old in the eyes of a Kindergartner, of course.

I had just a bit of hesitation to attend since our last musical performance ended with a stranger lady scolding my girls for being loud. Turns out, Ella remembered it too and promised to sit very still this time.

“We can’t let that happen again, Mom!”

Nope. No one wants a repeat of that.

Our Friday night adventure was set. Once we settled into our seats and the lights dimmed, I watched two little girls’ eyes sparkle at the magic of stage. Teens are royalty to 6 and 4-year-old girls, but when those teens act out a favorite Disney movie under the lights of the big stage, their awesome-ness is unmatched.

Ella was full of comments throughout the show.

“Her dress is so pretty! They are playing the real songs from the movie! They are doing such a good job!”

But one comment kept returning every time a scene was over. 

“Mom, why are they all clapping? It can’t be over yet. Tell me it’s not over yet! I would be so sad!”

During the end of the third or fourth scene, I leaned over and whispered a bit of advice for my 6-year-old. 

“Ella,” I said. “Try not to think about the end. If you’re so worried about the end you won’t be able to enjoy the middle parts! Just sit back, relax and have fun.”

She liked that advice. I thought it sounded all too familiar. It’s something I’ve been trying to tell myself for 33 years – especially the last 6 or so. Why can’t I listen to my own words? 

Maybe you can relate?

I get frustrated when I spend all my waking hours (and some of my dream hours, too) thinking about my business and the hard work that awaits me.

I get disappointed when I spend my days worrying about dirty laundry, or messy rooms, or the stuff I forgot for the school fundraiser or church meeting. 

And I get sad when another month on the calendar is turned and I know I’m one day closer to the day when my girls will be all grown up. Their sweet little faces are looking less like little girls and more like pre-teens each day. 

I’m trying to soak it in. I’ve heard your advice and I know how quickly it’s gone. But it doesn’t matter. I can’t help but think and worry and wonder how it all speeds by. Wasn’t it just Christmas? Wasn’t it just 1999? I’m told it continues to pass at an unrecognizable speed. And I can’t help but worry about it all. 

But I know worry is the only thing I can control. I have a feeling you know it, too. 

As I remind my girls, I remind myself, too. Life will continue to pass by at lightning speed and eventually it will all end – hopefully with a standing ovation. But until that day, we have to try to sit back, relax and have fun during the middle parts – as those really are some of the best.