Finding Ninee » Sharing our parenting and special needs stories with heart and humor.

Liminal Moments

Perhaps one of the biggest rewards a parent receives from a toddler is seeing his smile and witnessing him experience a truly liminal moment.  A moment when he’s completely fulfilled through climbing, building, digging, pouring or running.

When time briefly stands still.

Being a witness to this perfect peace makes me realize that Tucker has provided us with a priceless lesson.  One that won’t be found in a parenting book, in the pediatrician’s office, in a mom’s group or in a developmental milestones worry list.  That lesson is that all of us need to allow ourselves to abandon our deadlines, our worries, our inconsequential mind blabber and simply live in the moment.

Stop time for a just short while and relish the look of your three-year old child’s hands playing in the sand or in the water.  Marvel at how much larger his hands already are than when he was a tiny dependent newborn.  Marvel also that one day, his hands will be larger than yours and will hold his own tiny son’s head in a palm.

In an effort to capture these fleeting moments, I take thousands of photographs.  Some are blurry, some beautiful, silly or candid.   I hope that one day, while looking at an old photo, I also remember how time stopped for an hour.  I hope I’ll remember what the air felt like on my face, the exact pitch of Tucker’s giggle, and the genuine contentment in my heart.  The actual feeling of perfect memories is hard to hold on to. But I’m going to try.

This weekend, my purpose has been to not worry about when we’ll get to the grocery store, when we need to bring in all the outdoor toys for the upcoming cold weather, and whether I should go ahead and weed the garden now.  Because all of those things will get done.  What won’t get done, unless I allow myself to allow it, is to spend a few timeless moments when I simply absorb the perfection that my son – and that life – is.

A few of our own moments when time seemed to stand still


  • Becky - Wow, this is one of the best parenting posts I think I’ve seen. I was searching for speech and language delays for my nine year old and found you ha ha. but i.m very glad that i did because i have not been so inspired to be a good mom in a long time. thank you for writing this and i’m very happy i found your website.October 8, 2012 – 12:29 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Thank you Becky! Good luck with finding help for your nine year old! Does he/she have speech therapy in school/ IEP, etc?October 8, 2012 – 12:47 amReplyCancel

  • Pink Ninja Media - I second that, wow I was checking and have to say this is one of the best, most heartflet posts I have ever read! This comes from the heart, you feel it from you’re words! Keep on doing what you’re doing this is amazing and thank you for sharing this! I am sharing on all my social media networks if you don’t mind…..October 14, 2012 – 7:08 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Wow, thank you! I’d be honored if you would share this on Pink Ninja Media! I actually have your site bookmarked to register with, but since I do not have one month’s full data, figured I’d wait until this blog is a little older. Thank you so much for visiting!October 14, 2012 – 9:13 amReplyCancel

  • Lauren Ivy Chiong - I agree–this is beautiful! Lovely! It’s so important to let time stand still and let go of our agendas, even if only for a few moments in a day.October 15, 2012 – 3:43 amReplyCancel

  • MomboMombo - watching joy on a child’s face is like a personal smile from God — relish all the good times, take a lot of photos, and let your heart melt xoxoOctober 31, 2012 – 6:50 amReplyCancel

  • Michelle Swank - You are a phenomenal writer! I love everything about your style and your blog! Keep it up! 😀November 5, 2012 – 1:16 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Wow, Michelle, thank you! You’re gonna make me cry…thank you so much for visiting. And even more for commenting! I really appreciate the encouragement. So much.November 5, 2012 – 5:18 pmReplyCancel

  • Why I’m Blogging Finding Ninee | Finding Ninee - […] is that somebody laughed at one of my embarrassing stories or remembered to cherish a moment of timeless joy with her son, then it’s a […]November 15, 2012 – 10:42 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - Wow, that was really beautiful, and a great reminder for me today. I take countless photographs for similar reasons, but I have a hard time just being still and BEING with my kids sometimes. Thanks for sharing that on TALU today!December 4, 2012 – 3:36 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Hi Stephanie,
      It’s hard sometimes to remember the moments when they’re happening. And thank you so much for visiting from TALU and commenting today!December 4, 2012 – 6:34 pmReplyCancel

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