"When the Tassels Turned and Time Stood Still: A Mama’s Reflection"
- holyhustlewithraquel
- Jun 9, 2025
- 2 min read
2023 was a year etched into my heart forever.
My oldest daughter graduated from high school. My son had his kindergarten promotion. And my last baby girl wrapped up TK and got ready to head into kindergarten. Three different caps and gowns. Three major milestones. One mama trying to hold it all together while her heart swelled with pride, joy, and a little bit of ache.
Her last football season. Her last cheer. Her final dance nationals. I blinked, and the baby girl who once twirled around the living room in princess dresses was walking across a stage in her graduation gown. I didn’t know whether to cheer or cry, so I did both (Literally!). That year, I felt the time shift. I started asking myself: Will they still need me?
And then I realized they always will. The need just changes. Less tying shoes, more guiding hearts. Less bedtime stories, more late-night talks and silent prayers. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (NLT). And in 2023, I grew in wisdom through every proud tear and long hug.
Now here we are in 2025, and life is still full.
This spring, I decided to take a step back from writing so I could be fully present again and not just for the big milestones like graduations, but for the everyday memories that matter just as much. Field trips, class parties, and end-of-year chaos (I love every minute of it!). My youngest is finishing 1st grade, my son finished 2nd grade, my middle child is wrapping up 4th grade, and my oldest is entering her junior year in college. My nephew had his 8th grade promotion. I didn’t want to miss a second of it. However, with all of my own kids’ school events, I couldn’t attend my nephew’s promotion in person but thank God for FaceTime! I was able to watch him walk the stage with pride from my phone, surrounded by glue sticks, glitter cards, and kids needing last-minute snacks. It wasn’t ideal, but it was real, and it was enough.
Sometimes, the most sacred thing we can do is show up. Even if that means showing up on a screen while showing up for our own children in person.
God reminded me that while He calls us to many roles, motherhood is one of the most holy. And it’s okay to pause and soak it in. Not every season is about building, some are about being. Sitting in the stands, serving cupcakes at school parties, clapping the loudest during those final assemblies, just being there.
So, if you’re in a season of slowing down so you can be present: you’re not falling behind, you’re right where you’re supposed to be.
And God? He’s still writing your story, even in the quiet chapters.
With love, gratitude, and a full mama heart,
Raquel 🤍
Still cheering from the sidelines, even if it’s through tears and FaceTime
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