5 More Minutes

I sent Jaden off to his last day of school. He graduates Monday. My heart races in anticipation of the changes that he will make in his world. Yet, my stomach boils. I'm not ready to be a grown-up. I genuinely miss my little kids. I miss them. I can't say it enough. I miss them.

This day is full of lasts. The last of my kids to attend Provo High. They have built a new school. Jaden is the final Senior class to attend the "old" school. The end of getting-up-and-taking-a-shower-before-school. The last phone call and email "This is Provo High School. Jaden was tardy/absent today." Um, why? Then a furious text to Jaden asking "why" followed with a statement that "I'm going to lose my #@$! if you missed class."

"Don't worry Mom. I've got it handled."

What does that even MEAN?

When Jaden was little and attending Franklin Elementary I got up every single morning to make him pancakes. My other kids were beyond mad at me. THEY didn't pancakes every morning. Heck. They were lucky to get bowls and spoons placed in front of them. "There are SO many of you. I can't function."

Should I make them SUPER mad at me? On cold days I would throw Jaden's socks in the oven to warm them up. Yep. I did that. It's a true story. One time I forgot about them and they melted. No lie. I opened the oven to an ooey-gooey mess.

Jaden by-passed Middle School and went to High School. Pancake time was over.

The drive to Provo High is spectacular at 7:00 in the morning. The sun hits the top of Mount Timpanogos just right and every morning I found myself exclaiming that "it is so beautiful today". More times than not, I was met with a mumble.

Jaden got his license. Goose and Daulton bought him a car. The morning drive to school ended.

Here I sit at my computer, tears falling as I remember vivid moments frozen in time. Do you think he gets it? Does he see the opportunities placed within his reach? All he needs to do is to reach out and grab hold.

Andy Andrews authored a book The Lost Choice. About the book, andyandrews.com writes:

Elegantly blending gripping fiction, extensive research, and a powerful message of hope, The Lost Choice illuminates the timeless principles for transforming your life and the world. ...Are you ready to make the personal discovery of a lifetime?

This was one of the books that Mark has read aloud to me. Pieces of a medallion are discovered. As time winds forward, other parts are found and when placed together the etching on the stone is revealed. The story of each stone is shared and their journey has stuck in my mind.

On page 79 you read:

"Because you have been made to make a difference. And I believe that you will."

I was driving home yesterday when Scotty McCreary's song Five More Minutes came on the radio:

Time rolls by the clock don't stop
I wish I had a few more drops
Of the good stuff, the good times
Oh, but they just keep on flying right on by
Like it ain't nothing
I wish I had me a pause button
Moments like those Lord knows I'd hit it
And give myself five more minutes

My thoughts turned to Jaden.

Og Mandino's book still resides on my desk. EVERY SINGLE DAY I read my scroll. I am on the Scroll Marked V.

I will live this day as if it's my last.

"And what shall I do with this last precious day which remains in my keeping? First, I will seal up its container of life so that not one drop spills itself upon the sand."

The hourglass can't be turned over. Time is a gift and five more minutes doesn't exist. You, Jaden, were placed on this earth to make a difference. Seal up your container of life and spill not a single drop.

You don't have to make a difference in the entire universe (that's a ton of pressure, isn't it?) Simply keep improving YOUR world. YOUR reality. YOUR future.

In turn, I will believe. In your hopes. Your dreams. Your ambition. Your ability. Your talent. Your kindness.

Don't you know you have already begun? YOU have made a difference in MY life.