My Summer Plans… A Final Thought
Since it’s cool enough outside today for long sleeves and long pants, I can probably admit that summer is about over. Every year I look back on the summer as it leaves me and wonder if I spent it well. This year I think I did alright. With lots of help and even more laughter, we emptied, cleaned, organized, painted, and redecorated the kids’ bedrooms. I spent an entire day (way back in May) surrounded by my Sikes family relations at the 2008 Sikes Family Reunion. We spent a few days on a trip with friends and even had one or two days with nothing on the calendar. The Rhodes/Stellpflug family spent a few days with us and this always produces so much laughter that we end up with sore muscles in our sides and in our cheeks. How can two families produce so many funny moments?
Our Darling Daughter and Number One Son spent several weeks at camps this year. Son spent 14 days on a trip to Philmont Scout Reserve in New Mexico this year. These were life changing days for him as he learned just how capable a man he’s become. Both kids and I enjoyed a week at Falls Creek with our church this year. While the kids were busy with their friends in worship, icee dates, and other games, I was busy in the kitchen with 3 of the most talented ladies I’ve ever met. We laughed until we couldn’t laugh any more and still managed to feed the youth of our church in a somewhat timely manner each day. At the end of the day we sank gratefully into our beds and enjoyed the restful slumber of those who know they’ve done a good days work.
And our Darling Daughter started the summer off at Super Summer this year. She learned more in those 5 days than I thought possible. God is doing a mighty work in her and I am privileged to be a first hand witness to His plan.
We just arrived back at our house after celebrating 50 years of marriage for my beloved husband’s parents and that was probably the biggest blessing of all. My mom spent hours and hours doing my errands in Paris before I arrived last Thursday and then continued to make every step with me once I arrived. Mike took over my driving, lunch making, and household management while I was gone and did an awesome job of getting the kids to Paris with all of the items they needed to meet the many friends who attended the reception. The kids made sure their dad got there as well. In spite of a hurricane that was predicted to arrive in Paris at the exact hour of the reception, the room was filled with familiar faces, laughter, and love. How can you thank a crowd for coming out in a driving rain to say, “You’ve been an important part of our lives and congratulations on 50 years of marriage.”? What awesome people live in Northeast Texas.
Now as the warm temperatures of summer begin to fade away, the coolness of fall kisses our faces as my family leaves for school and work each morning. We are turning the calendar pages and beginning in earnest our favorite activities for fall. This year we’ll be spending our time on the volleyball court, on the marching field, and in the stands at every football game. We’ll be keeping the roads hot between our house, the church, and the kids’ schools.
I’m not sure I accomplished everything I had on my list for summer, but as I look back at the last few months, I can see that they were filled with family, friends, service to our Savior, and love. What else could I have hoped for?
© [Janet Sikes Anderson] and [Kitchen Sink Thoughts], [2009]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Janet Sikes Anderson] and [Kitchen Sink Thoughts] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
