Summer Remembered

Over the last couple of months I have received photos of my grandchildren, showing me some of the things they have done over the summer and into early fall. I so enjoy these photos, as through them I can see what is going on in their lives.

Chris and Nicki both played ball this summer. Nicki's softball team received a third place trophy in their tournament, and Chris's team won their championship. Way to go! Both of my oldest grandchildren are good athletes and enjoy various sports activities. They have fun playing, too, and that is the way it should be. I recall how much fun it was for me to play on my 4-H softball team. I wasn't very good at it, but it sure was fun, and I am glad that the kids have a good time.

There were a couple of "firsts" lately. Boston lost her first tooth. She called me to tell me all about it, and assured me that the tooth fairy did indeed pay her a visit. Jacob, who is growing by leaps and bounds, had his first big boy haircut. His dad reports that he didn't shed a single tear, but watched with fascination the whole process.

The rest of these pages are of various things the kids did over the summer. They look like they are having so much fun. I believe that the summer months should be enjoyed as much as possible, especially if you are a kid. Some of my fondest memories of when I was a child are of the things my family did on warm summer days. There were picnics, camping by a lake, fishing day trips and just enjoying the outdoors when we lived on the farm. Summers are for kids, and I am glad to see that my grandchildren make the most of them.

http://www.4shared.com/file/68552327/384a5aa5/Summer_Remembered.html

Family Picnic

Those of you who regularly read this blog are aware that I often bemoan the fact that life has changed considerably since my youth. Yes, I am one of those who long for the more simple life of "the good old days." I don't necessarily wish to wash clothes in a tin tub with a washboard, or cook a mastodon for dinner over an open fire, but I really do miss the pleasures of a less frantic lifestyle.

Well, this summer, my children brought back one of the things that I was missing. The family picnic by the lake. We got together in late June, feeling a need to be together as a family after Mike's death. As I watched my grandchildren swim and play in the sand, I couldn't help but think of how Mike would have enjoyed that day. He always loved time spent with the kids and grandkids.

We met again on a beautiful sunny, breezy Saturday afternoon in late August. After several emails back and forth, it was decided who would bring what. We had burgers on the grill, potato and fruit salads, veggies, brownies, and a cooler full of sodas and water for all. Food fit for a king. And it always seems to taste better in the outdoors near the water.

The day was made even more special with the arrival of Kelly and Jackie. They drove down from Bemidji just for the day. Kelly had told me some time ago that he would love to get together with all of my kids, as it had been a long time since he had seen them, so I let him know about our picnic. It was so good to be able to spend time with him and Jackie. The fact that they would drive that distance just to spend an afternoon with us is amazing to me. They brought with them some family photos that we all enjoyed looking at. Some were of Emily's wedding. She has grown into a beautiful young woman.

The adults talked, laughed and remembered times past. We got caught up on what everyone had been doing lately. Jackie had met Jeri when she and Kelly came to see me in June, but she had not met the rest of my family. I teased that she was a brave woman to voluntarily come into the middle of this crew! She is such a sweet lady and she makes my brother happy. I just love her to pieces.

The kids went swimming, dug holes and built things in the sand, and brought us a giant grasshopper to look at. They fed a family of ducks who were waddling along the beach, looking for a handout. They did cartwheels and handstands, showing off their gymnastic abilities. They are so very busy.

I used to think that it would be so nice to have the energy of my grandkids. I don't think that way anymore. I have reached the age of understanding that if I had their energy, chances are real good that I would just hurt myself. So now I settle for watching them and enjoying them.

http://www.4shared.com/file/67781153/224766a8/Family_Picnic_2.html

Late in the day, Kelly and Jackie had to leave for their long trip back home. I wonder if they know just how much it meant to me to have them share the day with us. Since the deaths of our parents, my brother and I tend to value our time together more than we have. I have always enjoyed spending time with Kelly, but I find that our time together now makes my heart glad.

I am so pleased that my children want to take the time to do things like a family picnic. I understand how busy their lives are, what with jobs and children and other obligations. I think that they understand how much these times mean to me. We have discovered in the last year just how important family is to us all, and I treasure these times. The fact that a family picnic takes me back to simple pleasures in simpler times is just a bonus.

This last picture is of a picnic by the lake over 50 years ago. Often in the summertime, my family would go to the park at Big Kandy Lake for a Sunday afternoon picnic with Ronnie and Em. On this occasion, Ronnie's sister, Margene and her parents, Myrtle and Lawrence Lindblad were there. Margene is at the far left, next to Em and Ronnie, and Lawrence is sitting next to Dad.

http://www.4shared.com/file/67476309/2572725b/Family_Picnic.html

At those family picnics, we brought sandwiches to eat, along with Mom's potato salad and deviled eggs, and Em's delicious crisp home canned dill pickles. There usually were tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden, and someone nearly always brought a big watermelon. There was always a big jug of lemonade with slices of real lemon floating in it.

The kids would play tag or hide and seek among the large trees at the park, and would go swimming, while the adults talked and laughed. I remember that whenever we were with Ronnie and Em, there was always laughter. Lots of laughter.

Thank you, my children, for giving me a day like those days I so fondly remember from my childhood.