Reunion

It's time to gather again. The entire hour-long drive to camp, my kids asked whether their cabinmates and counsellors would be there. Each time, my answer was the same, "we'll have to wait and see..." They were both pleased and disappointed when we arrived.

But activities soon began and everyone felt back into the easy camp routine.

There is something special about camp. There always has been, there always will be. I am thrilled to be able to sit here on the porch swing overlooking the patio where my daughter dances the Macarena, and my boy sits by the campfire.

I remember my camp days, and secretly hope my kids love camp throughout their teen years. I would support their decision to counsellors if they chose ads well... but time will tell.

Tonight, we're all enjoying the autumn evening.

Thank You, God for camp...

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Thinking Back....

It started with the Facebook "post an retro picture" week. I knew EXACTLY which picture I needed to post. It's a nice picture... but it's so "not me".

I found it - while looking in my closet for my Myers-Briggs results - and posted it to Facebook. There are a few folks on there who knew me during those years. They were my long-haired North Carolina years. My EMS years. My searching, but not quite finding years. I do have some very good memories from that time, and some days I would never choose to relive.

I had the picture made at Glamour Shots. (pfft - another "NOT ME"!) I let them tease my hair and paint my face, but drew the line at that. They could keep their boas and crazy clothes and props.... I felt ridiculous enough as it was! But it was a gift, so I did my best to endure it.

When it was done, I returned to jeans, boots and ponytails. Much more my style.

It's fun to look back sometimes, remember where I've been. I'm grateful that I am not "not quite finding" anymore. And I am grateful to be comfortable in my own skin.

Thank You God for that....

Snow Day 2010

As anticipated, we were out of school Thursday - and now Friday as well.

My New England friends tease me unmercifully - which I understand, on one hand. On the other hand, I remember how differently equipped they are up in the North for the likes of this.

Really, there wasn't much snow, but it was ill-timed for school buses and has been SOOOO cold here that it didn't melt on contact - nor will it in the next day or so, by my estimations.

My kids had a blast. They dressed themselves and headed out. I leashed the dog and joined them for a picture or two. A few times I thought to myself how little they truly "get" SNOW. Yes, they know what it is, but have never experienced more than an inch or so of it. They've never had snowbanks to tunnel through, or enough snow to consider building an igloo. A snowball or two and a small snowman if they were lucky, but *real* snow.... never.

It was pretty and all, and I was grateful to have a day "off", but it kinda muddles up plans for Friday. Apparantly, God has other plans. (I just hope it will be gone by Monday.)

Yet, it was while I was making supper that it tugged at my heart strings. As I glanced out over the frozen road through the window above my sink, I was reminded of a similar road. I was reminded of a very, very peaceful time in high school.

My senior year, I would run to school in the mornings. The lighting of the sun set reminded me of my sunrise runs. The mornings when there was fresh snow on the ground, were my favorite. Everything was quiet and still. Often the moon would still be visible in the sky, and the snowbanks would twinkle in it's light. My sneakers would squeak and crunch as each step brought me the half-mile closer to the school building.

It was peaceful and joyful, and most definitely God-filled.

Remembering Days Past....

There are several things that have shown up in my life lately that remind me of days past. A couple are perhaps a bit haunting - reminders of a previous life that I don't want to resurrect.

But this.... This was delightful! My daughter's brownie troop went to see Little House on the Prairie - the Musical, with Melissa Gilbert as Ma. My daughter SOOOO doesn't get why that is so important. So, I tried to tell her....

I told her that, when I was her age, I wanted to BE Laura Ingalls. I wanted to live in that Little House on the Prairie. I wanted to run in those fields, with "Charles" heading the family. I wanted the quiet evenings by the fire and fiddle music filling the house.

I didn't spent as much time fantasizing about scarlet fever, indian raids or hauling water for the family "bath night". But, I figured it was a package deal, and it would be worth it to experience the Prairie Dream.

I have carried that story with me through the years. When I bought my first house, I dreamed of building it instead - the floor plan very, very similar to the Ingalls homestead. It wouldn't have had 160 acres. I'd sacrifice that for electricity and indoor plumbing.

Truth be known, that story still lives strongly within my heart. It must.

Within me, there is a girl very similar to Laura Ingalls Wilder. A girl who is bold and adventuresome, who loves the land and the wind in her face. A girl with fiery passion and an indomitable spirit.

She's in there. She appears from time to time in my life, until the reality of day to day life contains her again.

May she thrive and come forth!

Remembering Easter...

Since I am in memory mode:

This is an picture of my children, dressed for Easter Sunday. It was taken about 4 years ago....

It was probably a year later my son started spreading The Word.

We were getting our pre-Easter haircuts. The woman cutting his hair asked him if he had his Easter basket already. "Yes....", he said. "So, the Easter bunny is going to come to your house then?" she continued.

He sat for a minute, considering the question and then said...

"Uhm.... Easter isn't about the Easter bunny, you know.... it's about Jesus dying on the cross...."

I was floored. There sat this 4 year old child, bolder in his faith than I have ever been. No wonder Christ loved the little children!

May you all have a Blessed Easter! (chocolate bunnies and all!)

Wedding Memories...

This is one of my favorite memories from a decade ago. Today would have been my tenth wedding anniversary.... would have been. Don't get me wrong, there are other joyful memories from that day - but this one remains untainted by divorce.

The picture is one, in a series of four, that tells the story. It is the final picture of a sweet and tender moment with my brother. Most likely one of the most intimate moments I've had with the youngest - and only boy-child - in my family of origin.

It was a beautiful spring day. The redbuds and dogwoods were blooming. The sun was shining, and a gentle breeze kept the air moving along. A perfect day for a wedding!

People were gathering in the old stone chapel. I was waiting outside. Not exactly 'pacing', but not too far from that. I knew I couldn't take TOO much time to think about what was about to happen - and I KNEW I couldn't *talk* with anyone, or I would cry, and I couldn't cry. So, I wandered off to the edge of the woods, my back to the church and the guests. I needed a few moments with God.

Not long after, my brother walked up to me (picture #1). "How ya' doin'?" He asked. "Oh, George..." I said as I turned to him (picture #2), "...don't ask me that..." He just looked at me. I casually hit my hand against his chest (picture # 3), and explained. "...If you do, then I will cry, and if I cry, then I can't sing, and in just a moment, I have to walk in there, stand at the back of the church and sing."

At that point, my voice cracked, and a single tear rolled down my cheek. In response, my brother - my only baby brother - took his tie, and wiped the tear from my face (picture #4 - above).

I took a deep breath, smiled at him and walked to the back of the church.