huh?

Today we purged our closets and garage. We filled up at least 10 bags of clothes for a local shelter and we donated several household and baby items that we will no longer need. While Charlie was loading up some old stereo speakers in to the back of his truck, I ran my hand over the crib and highchair that we would be giving away.

Once upon a time, not very long ago, there were three matching cribs and three matching high chairs. We gave two of the highchairs away a couple years ago. But we held on to one of the highchairs for Henry, which he has since outgrown. And although we do still have two of the cribs, including one that has been converted to a double bed for the girls and the crib that Henry currently lays in for a few hours before coming in to our bed sleeps in at night ... as I watched these once critical baby items leave our house, I felt a sense of sadness sweep over me.

It wasn't that long ago our children were so small.


Slowly, the baby supplies are going.


Quickly, it seems this phase of our life is passing.

While I stood outside trying to hold back tears, Charlie walked up and putting his arm around my shoulders said, "I feel oddly sad right now." It felt good to know that he understood the significance of moving these items out of our home. I looked up at my husband and through blurry eyes nodded, "Yes, I know! It's really sad to see some of this stuff go, isn't it?"

Charlie was quiet for a moment before he added, "Yeah. Those were my very first stereo speakers."