I'm collecting. Collecting oxygen on runs, toys from the floor, voices and laughter from my children, music from my husband, veggies from the garden, stories to write, and friends to share it all with. Here is my collection.
Our summer adventure wasn’t what we had planned. We were ready to see more of the grand country and weave our way to Washington, but we unexpectedly lost a large part of life in May when George’s father, Jim passed away. Our heavy grief weigh on us and made it hard to think far and wide. We wanted to stay close and tight.
Finally, we decided on a plan that took us as far as Colorado to be with George’s sister and her family. We took time at the farm caring for cows and spending time with grandmother before we took some time as a family at our sweet friend’s cabin in Suches, Georgia to slow down and settle in to a much needed rest.
The power of the pause fell over all of us. We cuddled in the cool, collected gifts from the forest, hiked the creeks, swam the lakes, read books, drew, wrote, napped, and washed in the quiet of the forest.
As time slowed in the woods, even the sun shining through the trees onto bumpy bark of an old fallen tree drew us in.
William tossed a baseball to himself over and over, Amelia found things to weave, skinny snakes, wild raspberries, and flowers. George Wilder climbed up and over rocks and hiked the creeks.
Our hearts are heavy. We miss Jim terribly. Navigating life without our granddaddy is hard. This time gave us a change to simply be present in this world. We are so thankful for the slow down in Suches.
I really enjoyed my brief visit with you during the Suches leg. That evening, Hannah called to me to come see something! I paraded down where she and Emelia were hovered over a log near the fire ring. Hannah pointed to 4 really large, snails—— Now carefully lined up single file in a slow-drama snail march. We marveled! Then she asked....”which one do. You think is the biggest???” After some thoughtful comparison and analysis, I said “I don’t know.....maybe they are quadruplets ?! She indignantly looked at me like I was an idiot and announced loudly NO! They’re SNAILS!!!
Googling "How To Rescue Kittens From A Storm Drain"
I drove through the day to spend the weekend with my sister and her family. After dinner, we decided that a walk would keep us from falling asleep at 8:30 and after car time all day, moving was top on my list.
My sister, my niece Emmie, and I strolled through the neighborhood chatting about all things. We had not walked too far when we came upon a lovely lady and her son peering down into a storm drain. We immediately asked if they were okay and if they needed any help.
The next afternoon, George headed out with the kiddos to collect chickens. They stayed gone for quite sometime. Five hours later they returned with piles of stories and excitement galore. They had just visited Patrick's Hobo Camp. There was tomahawk throwing, archery, blowguns, rope tying, gardening, and supplies for whatever project you might want to try. In every direction, there was something to do and learn with clear directions on how to do it. Patrick was eager to teach it all to them.
Everyday I feel like I get new air to breathe - a new day to find an adventure. Sometimes there is only laundry, but I want to see more than just the pile of stinky clothes and dirty dishes. Today I see my little girl find an adventure, get ecstatic over a ripe tomato, talk to her brother about a new toy, play the banjo with her father, and stop to eat her squash and cornbread. We are in constant forward motion, breathing in and exhaling with those that pass through to soak it in with us.