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Those of you around me may know I’ve been stressed out for the past week or so preparing a huge presentation for my boss, her boss, her boss’ boss and one more boss above that (got all that?).

No matter how many times I get in front of senior management at my company, the days leading up to it I get stricken with anxiety and start to imagine all sorts of “worst case scenarios”…. including such ridiculous things as taking a sip of my water and starting to choke, totally blanking on the topic that I’m so intimately acquainted with, and in general just looking like a turd. Perhaps because as my career has advanced the level of intelligence that I’m surrounded with has increased considerably and I’m convinced that and one of these days they’ll realize that I’m totally faking it. Okay, not really, but sometimes it feels that way.

In any event, I was watching the clock all day and when 1pm approached I was totally dreading the meeting. Of course about three minutes into it, it was smooth sailing and went far better than I could have hoped. So… sigh of relief…. and I should probably get some actual work done instead of blogging.

As I finished up my last post, it occurred to me that there was a message in there that I was telling myself, and in case you missed it, I figured I’d share.

When life is swirling around me and I can feel the tension rising I need to try to stop and look around, because as much as I might complain about the madness, this is the time. It’s going to go fast, and one day I’ll look back with wistful thoughts and I’ll miss it. Enjoy today. Go spend time with the people who are dearest to you. You really only have this moment once…. and in an instant, life has moved on.

Since I was busy at work yesterday (imagine that!) I didn’t have time to post that L.A. is already 5 months! It’s incredible to me how quickly he’s grown. I reached into his drawer the other day to grab some socks and pulled out a pair of stragglers that must not have made it into the bin of clothes that no longer fit. As the munchkin lay there squirming and cooing away at the painting on his wall, I unrolled these teeny little socks and held them up to marvel at how small he used to be. It sounds so cliche to say “it all goes so fast” but it really does. He’s a little person now with his own personality and voice. I can’t even fathom the changes I’ll be posting about 5 months from now.

In 5 short months L.A. has weaseled his way deep deep into our hearts, and as I was rocking him to sleep last night it occurred to me that I can’t even remember what life was like when he wasn’t here. It’s almost as though my life really took on meaning when he arrived.

So my sweet boy, when you read this many years from now, know that no matter happens or where life takes us, you have always been so loved. I’m so grateful to have you in my life, you’ve taught me patience I didn’t know I was lacking, and shown me that to appreciate the most important things in life you often have to slow down and be silent.