Cousins have so much fun together!

 Anna and Grace are always asking for more time together.  Since the girls live about two hours apart, I am the most likely person to manage to get them together (outside of family events).  Since I see Anna on Mondays, we arranged for a Monday when Anna did not have dance and before Grace started school, when I could bring her home with me.  Then Susie's mom and dad dropped Grace off at my house on their way home from Doug and Susie's.   Let me tell you it takes a logistics expert to try and plan these extra events for the kids.  Not only was it necessary for both kids to NOT have any extra activities, but getting the girls from one place to the other took careful planning.  An interesting side note of these complex plans was that Anna got to see Graces "other" grandparents and Grace got to see Anna's "other" grandparents since Tim's parents were at Anna's house when we went there for a swim! Here is a recap of the activities that these two COUSINS managed to squeeze in with Grandma over a 24 hour period!

First we ate at Red Robin - which also happens to be one of my favorite places to eat. 

Even though it was almost sunset, the girls insisted on stopping at a playground near my house.  We have driven by this park several times, but have not had a chance to stop before this.  

They managed to spend almost an hour playing on this playground.  It was a wonderful evening and not very warm which made this a perfect playtime.  After this, we returned to my house.  There was a request for a movie.  So after some difficult decisions, they watched about half of a Disney flick before it was time for bed.  The girls did great going to sleep and I didn't ever have to tell them to quiet down.  Before I went to bed, both girls were asleep.  

Our plan was to go out for breakfast and then drive back to Anna's house to swim.  I had decided to treat them to a movie theater movie, which was a surprise to them!  So, we ate breakfast on the way back towards Anna's and then went straight to the movie theater. 

We saw Despicable ME4 and the girls came ready with their blankets!   Although it really wasn't that cold at the theater, they enjoyed having a blanket to cover up.  

Both girls seemed to enjoy the movie,  I have watched the others in this series, so at least I could follow the plot.  After the movie, we went to Anna's house so that we could enjoy their pool.  It was a wonderful, sunny day so we got spend several hours playing in the water.

The girls jumped on the trampoline to "dry off".  Grandma sat on the deck in the sun, which was enough activity for this busy day.

Grace and I left Anna's house early enough to make the drive home in the least amount of traffic as possible.  Our dinner was the left overs from the night before from Red Robin.  

Grace and I got to spend a nice evening together.  We played some games and watched the end of the movie that the girls had started the evening before.  Grace spent the night with me, since I was getting up early to go to her house, as usual to watch Jimmy and her for the day.  Our complicated logistics plan worked out perfectly.  It was a win for sure.  The girls got about 24 hours together that included a sleepover at my house.  Grace got an extra sleepover with me.  

I am sure it seems like this was a lot of time to spend driving back and forth the distance to the various houses.  But I can't think of a better way to spend several days.  The time to talk with the kids in the car is some of the best discussion you can ever have.  I learn so much during those talks and I get to share with the kids.  I figure that I only have a few more years that the kids will even want to spend this time with me, so I will continue to do whatever I need to do for these events.  

This summer has just flown by.  I can't remember a time that has seemed to pass so quickly.  The interesting thing about this is that I have not taken a vacation this year.  I have truly just enjoyed my somewhat "normal" routine of spending one day each week with Gwen's kids and one day each week with Doug's kids.  The extra perk of this is not only seeing the grandkids, but also seeming my adult children!  I realize the blessing I have that my children and grandchildren have remained a close distance from me.  It may not be in the same town but Doug and Susie are only 20 miles and Gwen and Tim are 42 miles.  If we lived anywhere but Chicago, this wouldn't even be a long drive!  Unfortunately, traffic is the unknown factor going between our houses.  But I am so thankful for having them close by.  I have been reflecting on my upcoming birthday - really all this year - and suddenly have a better understanding of growing OLD!  So until I CANT - I WILL!  I am feeling like that is pretty good advice for most things.  Keep on doing the things you CAN.  Keep on with that hobby as long as you CAN.  Don't let people tell you what you "should" be doing at your age.  Just do the things you CAN for as long as you CAN!  And that includes these special days spent with the kids.  

Jesus, thank you for the reminder of the many blessings you have given me.  Holy Spirit, remind us all to see the small and big blessings around us each day.  Give us patience with ourselves as we age.  Give us eyes to see ourselves as you see us.  Help us to see every day as a gift.  Show us your plans for us, even as we age.  Thank you for loving us.  Amen


  

What we pass on to our kids and grandkids....

So many people commented on my recent Facebook cover photo of our grand kids on the 4th of July.  It reminded me of this photo from 1983 of my own cuties - Gwen and Doug and a long ago 4th of July.  We took loads of photos during our get together (as usual) and I have so many favorites that I know will be pages and pages of scrapbooking!  I loved this picture of Lia - our oldest grandchild and Grace - our youngest grandchild!

And looking at these pictures, one on top of the other in this blog, I can sure see Doug in Grace and Gwen in Lia!  It's amazing to think that 34 years separates these pictures!  

I've been thinking about all of the things that we pass on to our children and even to our grandchildren.  It must be because, like so many of my friends, retirement is approaching for Ken and I (in a few years).  Besides all the fuss and worry about where to live, insurance, making those dollars last for your lifetime, there is that consideration of your legacy.  Websters defines a legacy as "something transmitted by or received from an ancestor."  The things I have been thinking about are more along the lines of the transmitted items.  I am so thankful that my children love celebrating all the holidays with family.  I love that being together is the most important thing for our family.  The 4th of July was always a big memory for me - being at Lake Maud.  There was always a big gathering with a cabin full of people, the yard full of tents and campers, sunburn, swimming, bug bites and fireworks.  I believe that I was 19 the first time I missed a fourth of July at Lake Maud.  While the place was important, it was really being with the people that made it so special.  I love that special legacy that was passed down to me from my parents, has now been passed on to my children and grandchildren.  Seeing the pictures of  my grandchildren together - seeing the joy of the cousins being together, reminded me of this picture....

Here I am (bottom left)  with my sister Julie (top left) and our cousins Corrine (top right) and Thoralee (bottom right)!  And of course, this was taken at Lake Maud!  Thoralee is the closest in age to me (two years older) of all of my 32 first cousins!  Yes, I have 32 first cousins!  But since my mom and dad were both the youngest in their families and I am the youngest in my family, most of my cousins were MUCH older than me!  As a matter of fact, several of my cousins were in their late twenties when I was born and already were married. Still I loved spending time with my cousins and have many wonderful memories being with them.  This extended family time was another legacy from my parents.  In spite of living so far apart, I really tried my best to give Gwen and Doug time with their cousins.  I love that Gwen and Doug make time to be together with their families. It is certainly a blessing for this grandma!  

Just putting these words on the page is such a good reminder for me.  The idea of leaving a legacy can be so daunting.  It feels like somehow you have failed if there is not a large monetary inheritance to leave your children.  When I reflect on my parents and my grandparents and the legacy that I received from them, it is never about money or property.  It is always about the love and the closeness of family and the traditions that have been carried on into my life.  It always is about the Spiritual legacy - the seeds of faith and belief that were a part of the foundation of our family.  

I have the wonderful opportunity to continue to live out that legacy of love with my children and grandchildren.  Each of you have that same ability to have an influence over the next generation.  If you don't have children of your own, befriend some children in your neighborhood or church.  Volunteer and meet some new people.  Leave a legacy of love that will live beyond your years.  The only requirement for this is time.  Be with the ones you love!  Give your love to those you are with, whoever that may be - friends, neighbors, coworkers, people you meet in the stores or on the street.  Let your life be filled with love that touches others.  Now that is an important legacy!

Jesus, thank you for reminding me of your great love for us.  Holy Spirit, turn our eyes away from the material things and fill our hearts with love for those around us. Give us eyes to see those who need our time and our love.  Jesus, thank you for family and friends and Facebook - that helps to keep us close even when we are miles apart!  Amen

When the weather brings a memory.......

Today was one of those true summer days.  It was HOT and HUMID!  You could just feel the air hit your face when you walked outside.  This is really a great change since this has been a cold and wet summer.  As a matter of fact, Monday was 65 degrees and quite chilly.  As compared to today when it was 97 and humid!  Of course that hot, humid weather brought some strong late afternoon thunderstorms.  When I was walking the dogs, I was remembering being at Lake Maud....

As I was looking for a particular picture of Lake Maud, I found this one instead.......

In the back on the left, is my sister Julie.  Next to her is my cousin Corrine, and I am in the front left and my cousin Thora Lee is the front right.  A picture of sisters, sharing time at Lake Maud.   I really did not remember that I had this picture and it was very important that I happened to find this picture today.  We got word last week that my cousin Corrine had died very unexpectedly.  She was a widow and never had any children.  She lived in Tucson, Arizona.  It was very sad to think about her being all alone when she died.  Believe it or not, I think I actually remember this particular day that the picture was taken.  It was the last time that my Uncle Walfred (Corrine and Thora Lee's dad) was ever at the lake.  He was not well, but my dad drove to their house and brought them down for a picnic.  I remember that Uncle Walfred sat in a lawn chair through the entire event.  But it was actually the first time I remember seeing him NOT laying on the couch in their living room.  Unfortunately, he died during that next year.  My cousin Thora Lee is the closest to me in age of any of my first cousins.  She is two years older than me, and we spent many days together when we were at the lake.  I was remembering that the last time I saw Corrine was at my dad's funeral in 1985.  It is really a sad thing that time passes and you don't make it a priority to see those relatives that you spent so much time with as children.   Now, back to Lake Maud.....

I was thinking about one particular summer.  I'm not exactly sure how old I was, but I believe I was in early junior high.  My dad was putting "Knotty Pine" paneling on the walls of the cabin.....(one of his usual "projects" of the year).  That year was unusually hot.  I remember watching the sweat just pour off of my mom and dad as they cut board after board to be nailed up on those walls. There was not a breath of air movement and all we had was one small (very old) fan.    And we had several really awful storms during that year.  For northern Minnesota, this was very strange.  It was in the high 90's and I remember one day even went above 100.   Yes, it was a very odd weather summer.

I really believe that the reason that I thought of Lake Maud today, was so that I could find this picture.  I have been thinking so much about my cousin Corrine and also Thora Lee, who lost her sister.  My ability to relate to situations of grief and loss has certainly changed.  It is not so easy to just pass over these events.  It is good to enter into the feelings and memories. 

So I just took a minute and looked at that picture a bit closer.  I loved that amazing Juniper bush that we are standing by.  It was the centerpiece of the large front yard.  My mom loved that bush!  And here is a funny thing.........Bath and Body Works sells a shower gel with the fragrance "Juniper Breeze".  Whenever I have that gel in my shower, as soon as it hits the hot water, I can close my eyes and feel like I am standing in that spot - just like in this picture - smelling that Juniper bush!  I spent so many hours sitting in a lawn chair, right by that bush.  Ah..... Lake Maud.  How I miss you!

Yes, the weather today reminded me of Lake Maud, which reminded me of my cousin Corrine, which led me to a time of grief and sadness, which turned into another memory of Lake Maud, which left me with a warm, wonderful good feeling, and then a bit of sadness and missing.    What a mix of stuff!  And a mix of emotions.  In this short, little blog I have  remembered, grieved, regretted, recalled, celebrated, smiled and cried.  It's been quite a day and quite a blog.  But after it all, I just feel calm and peaceful.  It is such an amazing thing to walk through memories when you are LED there by Jesus.  When the Spirit is nudging you along a path it is so much easier to walk through all of the stuff - good and bad.  Because when you get to the end.... you always end up in a place where you know that Jesus had a plan and purpose for the entire thing.  Knowing he is leading lets you just relax and let it all unfold before you.  This whole thing today just fills me with overflowing hope.  Hope because no matter how I am feeling right now, Jesus is leading me to a new place.  

Thank you Jesus for using the weather and the "wrong" picture to bring me into and through memories, grief, sadness and into  peace and hope.  You are such an amazing and loving God that knows us and cares so much about all aspects of our lives.  Holy Spirit, help us all to move through these emotions and draw us along so that we don't get stuck in one place.  Thank you Jesus for your plan and destiny for each of us.  Amen