Changes and Stages

I was surprised this morning by the change in my almost-4 year old.  It is easy to take note and celebrate the changes that happen so rapidly in young babies.  The first tooth is soon joined by others in rapid succession, and you stop noticing.  The first attempts at crawling are watched with anticipation, and before you know it the little one is flying all over the place on his hands and knees as if he'd been born doing it.  First steps, first words, first sentences, are all easy milestones to notice.

Once those have passed, though, the change is more subtle and harder to notice.  The change between 3 and 4 is subtle, a more fluid motion in the movements, a change of focus from self to those around her, a maturity in the facial expressions.  These things sneak up on me, but when they hit me, they strike me with more wonder than the "firsts".  These are marks of maturity, and give a glimpse into who this little person will become.  Somehow I find that to be so much more astounding, and awe-inspiring.

As they grow, it gets even harder to notice the change.  It is so gradual.  For my 8 year old, it comes in moments of self-possession, or acts of service, or a profound thought.

Those moments still surprise me, and that glimpse into the future is a priceless gift easily overlooked.

Every baby gets teeth, learns to crawl then walk, and eventually speaks.  These later moments are so much more unique and precious.  They are a glimpse into the personality and the person each will become.