Homeward Bound

Our visit has come to an end, and we begin our journey home.

While we have enjoyed our time here, it's time to sleep in our own beds and get back on a bit of a schedule.

Praying for a safe flight and that I don't forget anything important!

Until we meet again....

The Whirlwind of Time

It's hard to believe how quickly our visit has gone.... It seems like I was just packing to leave and it's time to pack to return home. In less than a week it will be time for school to start again.

Yet, in this whirlwind of time, I've had an opportunity to sit in a kayak and watch a heron try to quietly walk to a more secluded portion of the lily bed. I have sat with my mother and my sister, watching the kids play on a dock I have snuggled my daughter and will have played miniature golf with my son (shhhhh... don't tell him! He doesn't know yet!!)

We've shared meals and laughter. It's been a good visit.

And I am grateful for the moments to be able to share with my family and friends.

Beach Reunion

It has been a while since I have spent any time on a New England beach! I was in high school the last time I spent the majority of a day at a beach. But the 2010 Cousin Reunion began there.

Ten cousins spent the day jumping waves and digging in the sand. Eight boys and two girls. Quite a sight.

Yet, it is different, being at the beach as a teenager and as a parent. All the things my kids were wanting to do - body surfing and swimming underwater made me somewhat nervous as a parent. Sure, I want them to experience it.... I just want them to experience it NEAR ME.

They are very comfortable in the water, but naive to the ways of the sea. So, together, we body surfed "Wave-zilla" and sat on the beach. I opted out of the full-body burial, but managed to swing by for the final touches to the sand mermaid body one of my nephews had created for my daughter.

I'm grateful for the day and the opportunity to be with family. I am quite sure it will be another year before we are able to gather all the cousins together again.

Thank You God for a beautiful day, and safety for all.

Sleeping Beauty

I was introduced to my grand niece this weekend.

She is of course sweet, and beautiful and perfect. This world that she lives in is anything but.....

The morning of the gathering, I found myself thinking of the fairy tale in which the baby is being blessed by the three Good Fairies: Flora, Fauna and Merryweather. I looked forward to my opportunity to hold the child and speak my blessings over her.

Finally, my turn came. I sat and held her. She spoke first with her song of pre-sleep coos and grunts as she rooted her head into my shoulder.

Then, I whispered to her:

May you have health, and remain healthy and strong.

May you be sheltered from the harshness of this world.

May you find the good things in life and see the world through grateful eyes.

May you know God deep in your heart and never forget how much you are loved.

Above all, you belong to Him.

May we all remember that, and honor you as such.

She spent the afternoon sleeping peacefully, being passed from arm to arm. Which makes sense, considering the fairy tale...

Flora, Fauna and Merryweather..... and of course, Sleeping Beauty.

Back in New England

It's hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that next year, I will have lived in the South as long as I lived in the North.

I lived in the same house from the time I was born until I left for college. My mother still lives there.

I am really grateful for where I am, yet when I am here I am reminded of how much New England still lies within me.

I no longer own a proper coat, or gloves. I certainly don't own a pair of real winter boots... Generally speaking, I don't need them.

But I notice a comfort with the evergreens and the rocky shores. The skies are different here, and the breeze knows my name.

Still, the South has become my home, with it's milder winters and central air conditioning.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have experienced both.... and an ability to be where I love...

Thank You, God!

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Picnic Mountain

It started as a dream of my sister's when she started searching for land. I certainly see God's hand all over the story of its purchase.

Over the years, it has changed and grown into a fabulous retreat. Little by little she has made improvements. Yet, the feeling of retreat has remained.

My children love being here with their cousins. I love being out in the woods and playing on the lake.

I am also inspired to see my sister's creative energies and perseverance become the place that we know and love as Picnic Mountain.

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Girl Time

We'd had a wonderful day. The weather was perfect: sunny, warm but not hot, breezy but not cold.

We'd been to the lake and the specialty ice cream shop. It was time to spend a few lazy moments before dinner.

My daughter invited me to swing with her in the hammock. "Are you going to swing REALLY high?" I asked.

"Not TOO high," she replied. So there we lay on the hammock, her feet on top of mine, and her head nearly at my shoulders.

She pulled the rope and we began to swing. She giggled. I commented on the fact that our toes were touching, and mentally noted what a great picture that would be.

It was my turn to pull the rope & I swung us high! "That's how I would have done it," she said. I kissed the top of her head.

Not long afterwards, I noticed the rhythmic breathing pattern of sleep.

I called to the middle nephew and asked him to bring me my phone. Right after, of course, I said "Thank You, God for my daughter and this wonderful moment.

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