It has been a couple days since school ended and we have welcomed our summer vacation with open arms. Every year I look forward to these lazier days. The privilege of greeting our mornings with unscheduled time. The slow linger into hours, if we so choose.
I lay under sheets, quiet, unhurried, soaking. Husband up before me, downstairs eating the word and sipping coffee. Our girls still snuggled in their bedrooms with cracks of sunlight peering through curtains.
There is a sense of unexplainable joy in these precious moments. When life isn't rushing wildly by and we can simply take it in. Engage all that is given.
Here in this home, summer is time for pause. For living outside of the planning and inside the adventure of anything-can-happen. Out-of-the-blue invites for bbq's, bumping into friends at the park, bike rides after bath times, roasted marshmallows at midnight, and lazy mornings of pajamas and peanut butter lips.
I thought I was a planner by nature. Organized and orderly. A part of me still is, but God has shown me a different side of myself, one I hadn't known was there... it came in the form of Freedom.
Freedom from the expectations I put on myself. Freedom from scheduling life to full-capacity. Freedom to move off course from what was written in that 1" x 1" box on my calendar.
I greatly enjoy the relaxing, go-with-the-flow, freedom of summer.
Freedom in life.
Days of splashing giddy in pools, sand stuck between toes, and watermelon drips from the chin.
It.
Is.
All.
Joy.
To bring out the basket load of play-dough and make rainbows, pink poodles, and rocket-ships with your children. To invite friends on picnics and days at the river. To lay next to your spouse, looking deep into their eyes until you fall asleep knowing you are loved.
It is all opportunity to engage and relish the moment... then to wake and do it all again tomorrow.
What do you love about summer days?
What are the unscheduled moments that bring joy to you?
What a true and beautiful post! Oh to treasure and count it all joy. I love watching my husband do what his passion is.. racing motorcycles. It's scary but to see his eyes light up with each weekend race is priceless.
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a lovely time to live outside
p.j. days
movies on those rainy afternoons
meals on the back deck
a glass of wine by the pond while the sun goes down
pulling out the camping gear
and my hair smelling like camp fire....
just a few things I love
love and light
Heather, It would take a brave woman to watch a husband risk his life. I love that you in the midst of what is scary, you embrace. I could learn from you :)
ReplyDeleteCat, you have me adding to my list of summer desires... dinner on the deck and wine by the pond. Musts! Thank you!
nice...love those moments of serenityand rest...this summer has been about time at the pool...where my wife works we have access this year and are taking full advantage....
ReplyDeleteWhat don't I love about summer? The freedom, oh yes, the freedom! Last night a group of friends met at a local vineyard on a perfect summer evening. We brought food, candles, and flowers. We bought wine and listened to music. Kids ran together through the grass, and couldn't help but think it was all a foretaste of heaven. I just keep asking friends and family, "Have I mentioned lately how much I really love summer?"
ReplyDeleteWow, Nancy... a Vineyard, Music, and Wine. You're killing me here, that sounds like a dream. I want to summer vacation with you! :)
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