I’ll let you in on another detail about myself: I’m constantly looking at the past, my past, and thinking to myself, “Man, those where the days”. I’ll think back to the times my wife and I were living in our 1 bedroom apartment and think about all the fun times we had, ignoring the bathroom that was so small you could reach out your arms and touch each wall. Or I think back to college and remember all the carefree fun we had Friday and Saturday nights, ignoring all the time spent memorizing information or cramming for finals. Or I think back to High School and, well, you get the idea. Some day I’ll look back on now and think it was the most wonderful time ever. Am I the only one here?
With that in mind, I have to tell you that I’m already having these feelings in regards to my daughter. Here is where you will all probably call me insane. There is a small part of my (something like 2% or me) that misses the times I had to drive my daughter around in the car at 3:00 AM to get her to go back to sleep. I’m crazy, aren’t I (I’m sure Helen at least thinks so)? She has been sleeping consistently through the night for the past few weeks, and I feel rested and it has been great, but I do miss those late nights we had together, lifting her out of her car seat, her little face resting on my shoulder.
Also, I came up with some pretty cool story ideas when I was driving around at 3:00 AM (here, here and here). I guess there’s something about driving around on the freeway with only a sleeping toddler and a few truckers to keep you company that lets you think about things. Maybe I’ll just set the alarm for 3:00 every night and try to think about stuff. Or, maybe not.
Anyhow, do you all experience this nostalgia? I doubt I’m alone on this. After all, there would be no such thing as I Love the ’80’s without it.
In the meantime, I’ll be thinking about the good old days when I wrote this post.
The Struggling Writer 
I constantly reminisce, seeing only the good times like you. In the present we have to deal with everything – the good times, the annoying times, and the downright awful times. It’s often just too much, and the good times aren’t appreciated. Luckily, we can look back with a filter.
I also constantly dream of the future, seeing only good times ahead. I have romantic ideas about everything. I guess I’m just an optimist.
I know what you mean, Struggling Writer. People told me horror stories about newborn babies, how you’re feeding them constantly and are up several times a night. But once Kiko had grown past that stage, I really did miss it! I was looking at photos of him last year and thinking how much has changed and why does the time have to go so fast?
He’s sleeping better right now too, now that we’ve got his chest (almost) sorted out. Naturally, however, he has passed his lurgy on to me (isn’t that obligatory?!) and I’m the one who can’t get to sleep! I tell you, one thing I do miss from the days when we didn’t have kids, was being able to just be ill! Not be ill plus take care of a cantankerous coughing toddler who is determined to scribble all over the floor with a green crayon then says “caca” and tries to “clean up” with a tissue…
Rob – That’s a good way to put it. I do look towards the future, always thinking “wait until I get that promotion” or whatever.
Helen – I really do know what you mean about just wanting to be sick. I was constantly sick this past winter, but you can’t really let it get to you when you are a parent. You just have to keep chugging along. I hate that! 🙂
I’d say the missing the 3am time with your daughter is an acknowledgement that she’s getting older. I know, she’s only 1, but time flies by much too quickly. Wouldn’t it be good if we could slow time down sometimes?
I hear what you’re saying about the “old days” too. I do that all the time. Isn’t it funny how we gloss over the rotten parts of the memory? I never really thought about that before.
Most often, I reminise (sp?) in my journal. And when I reread them, I am often bowled over by the wave of memories that go along with the entry.
I’m sort of a sap.
🙂