There is something very peaceful about the Lake. I got the opportunity to experience this last weekend and I am so grateful. Brady made a very good friend this year and as a result, so did I. We were invited by our new friends to join them for a weekend at their family lake house in Grove, OK. Our lives are a bit busy, so we agreed to fit in a one night stay. We left on Friday and were home by Saturday, early evening. Let me just tell you from the moment we arrived to the moment we left, I had no idea what time it was. We weren't wearing watches. We didn't have our phones. We just had friends and a "good time" on the lake. It was so much fun and I can't wait to return to the lake...in my mind of course. I can see myself sitting at one of the 600 football games I'll be attending this fall and closing my eyes just to picture this. The water, the breeze, the sun...I am hooked on lake life. Completely and totally hooked. No pun intended as we did a little fishing. (too much?) Little referred to the cabin/trailer that we stayed in as a metal house. Inside the metal house was the most hospitable family I've been around. They were welcoming and treated us like family. It is funny how when you get to be around other families...it makes you value your own even more. I was stressed out completely about fitting this into our crazy lives...and as it turns out, it is exactly where we were supposed to be. It is funny how God always knows what we need...even before we know it ourselves.
You just never realize how much time away will help you when you are no longer away. Life is so busy. I always say that I just don't have time. But the truth to that statement, is that sometimes I just don't make time. I spend a lot of time reading about what others do in their spare time on Facebook. I love to look at pictures from other families...but have a hard time keeping up with activities of my own family. I guess you could say I had a lot of time to "think" as the boat cruised across the water. In fact...here is a list of things I thought about while on the lake.
- I didn't realize it was possible to have a small panic attack on a boat in the middle of the lake. As my little was sitting in my lap on the boat, I realized he was three weeks away from the big K. Kindergarten. I seriously had a panic attack at the thought of him leaving me for...school. FULL TIME SCHOOL! I have been thinking about this all summer, but I have been able to push it to the back of my mind. All of a sudden, as he was holding my hand, I started to freak out. Tears stung at my eyes. Stop it. Stop it right now. You barely know these people. Don't freak out on a boat in the middle of the lake. Breathe. Breathe. Say something funny... But before long, the boat was soothing my mind and I was appreciating the time I had right then and there with my Little. In one weekend, he went from being scared of the water to jumping and doing cannonballs off the back of the boat. I was so grateful for his courage and his bravery. I want him to be brave...not scared. And the more I try to hold him back, the worse this will all be. I have to let him grow...I have to let him go...to Kindergarten. Dang it. TEARS AGAIN. At least in my kitchen, we have cookie dough.
- I love that I haven't checked my phone all day. I have no idea what time it is. And I don't even care. I don't need to know what is happening with all of my friends every minute of the day. I can live life without wondering who's online, who's texting me, or what pictures they've put up for the day.
- I wonder what my Mom and Sister are doing? It has occurred to me lately that we only have one family. I have so many wonderful friends. And I love them dearly. But I have one fabulous Mom and one very special sister. And I miss them. Being with another loving family made me realize I sometimes take mine for granted.
- I wonder where P-dub (Pioneer Woman for those of you who don't know my slang) lives from here? Would it be weird if I googled it and we found her on our way home? Would she let me in and make me a real "ranch style" dinner and we'd sit and talk for hours drinking iced coffee? Wait...I don't have my phone. Dang it.
- I need to be more welcoming to people. I always worry so much about what they'll think when they come into our home and see our life. But the truth is...most people don't come over to see our house. They come to see us. I need to be more welcoming.
- I packed like I was going shopping with my Mom in KC for the weekend. Several outfits, shoes, makeup, jammies, etc. We wore our swimming suits for almost 48 hours. I slept in a tshirt and shorts. I didn't wear make up and according to my new friend Larry...you don't shower at the lake. If there was a book on how to be a "lake people" for dummies, I would read it. I should have spent less time packing and more time sleeping in.
- I am almost done with college. Last summer at this time, I was enrolling in my first semester back. A year has gone by almost without my knowing it. I am so thankful for all I have learned in the classroom and out. I am grateful for my teacher friends. I am NOT thankful for the homework I have to do when I get back. What do I have? Technology...math...children's lit...PANIC attack. Again.
The nice thing about all of these thoughts was that as they were happening, I was realizing almost instantaneously that there wasn't a thing I could do about them at the time. I had to let the thoughts ride for a while and when I got to the point where I could deal with them, they weren't as big of a deal as they seemed. Little and I will be okay with Kindergarten. We will. I am not a rookie. I will cry like a baby for about thirty minutes, get a big pop on my way to work, and I will live. When he gets off the bus, I'll cry again. And then I'll be okay...and Little will be great. Because he is brave...and courageous...and big. But in a Little sort of way.
My smart phone that has been taking over my life...isn't as smart as it thinks it is. I am letting it go. Coach's phone is less than working. And so, we are switching mine for his, and I am going back to a dumb phone. One that doesn't take over my life. One that doesn't allow up to the minute checks on everyone else's lives and allows me to simply "live" mine. Don't be crazy. I'll still have texting. ;)
I spent an awesome day with my sister yesterday. We had all day together and it was wonderful. I appreciated her and can't wait to do it again. I spent the day with my Mom today and it was the same. I am so blessed to have the women in my life that I do. Be appreciative of the people in your life...and go beyond just being appreciative. Show them. They are worth it.
The benefit to packing like a Beverly Hills camper and then camping like a real one is no laundry. The only thing that really required washing was my swimming suit...and my hair. Gross.
I finished all of my homework and turned it in. Panic attack averted. Cookie dough eaten anyway. Eh well. It was just one square.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
No comments:
Post a Comment