Now, that was a week!

So we are sneaking up on the big holiday and I've had a multitude of special Christmas happenings already.  I mean, it's a good one, 2018, and we aren't even "there" yet!

A quick review of my last few days.  It's been busy and fun, and even though I ended my week with a bit of a virus, I wouldn't trade this week.  First, my husband and his valued crew host a holiday luncheon for their customers each year.  It's always nicely attended and appreciated.  This year, they recognized husband's upcoming retirement, too.  I went, along with our two-year old grandson, who had been charged to me for the day.  Grandbaby was a dream, husband was pleased and humble.  It was a great afternoon. 

Next, our son flew in from California for an extended weekend and we were super happy to have him around for a few days.  He looks good, he seems well and is a survivor of the bumps in his road this year.  Was really good to see him. 

Our family attended our local hospital's annual presentation of "Holiday at the Pops", with the local county symphony, and some special guests, including the children's choir our granddaughter participates in.  It was very, very good and the auditorium, which is also where her mom and dad had their wedding reception, housed a full audience.  It was hard not to think about that wonderful December night sixteen years ago, watching those two very young people, start their lives together, as they watched their lovely daughter. They were proud parents to be sure, and the children's choir was fabulous.  Our youngest daughter and son-in-law and their family had driven up for the evening, so our family was complete.

The next day was our annual family Cookie Sunday.   Again, our whole family in attendance, visiting with their cousins, kids running through the house, babies cooing and drooling...it was another wonderful day.  Much laughter, much food, many, many cookies.  It can be difficult to find the right date for this yearly celebration, but we do our best to get as many of us there as we can.  Its a beautiful thing. 

I became victim to a bit of a virus following Cookie Sunday and had to pass on riding along to return our son to the airport on Tuesday, and spent much of a couple of days supine on the couch, not even watching television.  I spent a lot of the time asleep, and a lot of the time wishing I could get up to do something.  After wrapping five presents and then having to sleep for two hours, I just resolved to pick it back up in a couple days. 

Friday night this week the children's choir has their own concert and we are very much looking forward to it.  The next morning we set off for Indianapolis to see the Nutcracker presented by the Indianapolis School of Ballet.  Our granddaughter gets to sit in the audience this year, and I will admit to being a little sad for that...but then I think about how she is just around the corner from me now, singing in the local children's choir, taking ballet at a new studio and enjoying her lake home.  Its a trade-off, yes, but its a solid trade. 

A glimpse.

It is funny how things can creep up on you…wrinkles, grey hair, weight, the changing seasons, sunrise later and later, sunset earlier and earlier.  It’s so slow as to almost be unnoticeable and then all of a sudden you realize it’s dark as you make dinner.  I think of all the beautiful sunrises I have experienced this summer, shocked to be awake so very early as that is definitely not my way.  And now, it’s as if I am waiting on the sun so my day can begin.  It is funny.

Another thing that changes around here quickly is boating to not boating, swimming to not swimming.  We were just discussing when to take the boat out of the water, would the kids want to tube and realized maybe, but there might not be time. Maybe once or twice?  But, it’s been consistently rainy so will they? We usually take the speed boat out first, followed by the pontoon boat a couple weeks later.  There can be some great pontoon evenings into October…especially when there is a low, full moon. Dreamy.

I love going out on the lake at night.  Sometimes the bugs are a bit pesty, but, watching the boat cut through the inky darkness of the water…shining a light into the lake to see into the world below the surface a bit.  Watching people on shore, moving around a bonfire, smelling those same fires…hearing the laughter roll across the water, being a part of it but not being a part of it. Snuggling with a chilly, sleepy grandchild under a blanket as we talk moon and stars, gliding along. Lake life is the best life. 

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One big, happy dinner.

It’s Saturday and not the typical blog day for me, and this is not a typical post.

   

This was a rough week.  I could barely drag myself off the couch on Monday.  I found myself sleeping when I couldn’t take any more.  Hubs got a salad and warmed up soup for dinner, and a leftover applesauce cup. I ate nothing.  I struggled on Monday.  Hard.

On Tuesday, I slapped myself out of it.  I rallied.  I will not succumb to terror, I will not.  I will speak out on gun control, and I have opinion on the current administration that goes beyond party.  However,  I still will not use this blog for those things, other than those statements above. Can we disagree and still wish love and joy for each other? I believe we can, and I guess we’ll find out.

A week ago, my house was filled with my favorite things ~ all three of my kids, their spouses and all five of my grandchildren.    I could not have been happier than if you had sprinkled me with pixie dust.  I was beyond pleased.  There was a wonderful big family wedding, at a barn, a handsome groom and a gorgeous bride, with everybody. I think only one or two – okay, maybe three -  unable to be there on Saturday but the rest of us were in that barn, celebrating the wedding, and celebrating each other. We were one happy, dancing, loving, singing crowd of a family, let me tell you.  I love weddings, I really do.  It’s like having everyone over for dinner at one time.

 

Last Saturday and Sunday morning were perfect for us.  We laughed, and we loved. I watched little boys swing and heard their giggles, I talked nonsense with a two-year old grandgirl and marveled at the grace and poise of an eight-year old.  I love watching my girls mother their children…and my sons-in-law are princes among men.  My endearing, intelligent and independent daughter-in-law loves my boy, who brings nothing but joy to me, quirky joy, but joy all the same, and displays his roots.  Sitting around a fire with my family on a chilly Sunday morning, after a rollicking Saturday night…I wish it could always be so.  I also know it would not be as special if it happened every day, even every weekend, but I sure would like to give that a try!

Saying goodbye to the travelers never gets easy.  We vowed to make our circle tight, to keep in touch, to visit.  We hugged, we waved and blew kisses.  These are the days that make us.  

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