Soak Up The Moments

This weekend, we celebrated Easter. My family gathered together, sharing a meal and watching the six kids excitedly hunt for plastic eggs filled with little treasures. It was full of laughter and chaos—the kind of day you wish you could bottle up. But this year felt just a little different.

This year, my dad is struggling with dementia. I can see that he’s having a harder time keeping up, and it’s changed the way I experience moments like this. I find myself slowing down, soaking in every interaction he has with the kids, and holding onto every opportunity to answer his questions. I can still see the recognition and love in his eyes, even while feeling the quiet grief of knowing the changes that lie ahead.

If you have aging parents, you may understand this feeling—the shift that happens when time suddenly feels more fragile. The moments that once felt ordinary begin to carry so much more meaning.

I’m realizing that these family gatherings are becoming more precious. Time with the kids feels more treasured, and watching my dad with them is truly priceless.

So this is my gentle encouragement: don’t wait. Don’t wait for a diagnosis or a moment of fear to remind you what matters most. Slow down now. Be present. Soak in the conversations, the laughter, even the small, ordinary moments.

Because one day, you’ll realize they were never ordinary at all.