I have always known I was a "social" animal. That would not shock any of my elementary school teachers in the least, although I'm not sure how many are still with us. :( I remember my best friend in elementary school Marianne and I were in second grade together and we were THRILLED. Hence, that was the last year we were ever together in the same class, because we talked and had fun! I might go so far as to say that our friendship waned because of that fact, and I used to be somewhat angry about that. Anyway, I digress...
We learned recently that the Bear is returning to SD, for which we are so thankful. You see, he procured a job on the east coast for the summer, and we thought we would not get to see him at all. I am not fully sure of his reasoning, but I'm pretty sure it had to do with the cost of his living there potentially eating up all his profits from the job and he would head back to Loyola with nothing in hand. I think it was a wise choice, but I know I'm biased.
Like I always do, I started to daydream about all the things we will do together (the four of us) while he is here. I imagine long hikes, with picnics and fried chicken, potato salad and homemade granola that I made, all from scratch, when I rose earlier that morning (5 am) before anyone else, and we are now, in my daydream, partaking of all of it! There is water near, and a gentle breeze blowing, and we are laughing and eating and enjoying the "velvet" moments!
Of course, I am startled out of my bliss by the voice of my husband telling me he is home, and I come to my senses knowing full well if I could just get us all home from jobs at the same time a few times during the summer, I will be thrilled, never mind the long hike and fried chicken! A girl can dream, can't she??
Now back to a bit more of "reality" in my daydream. Perhaps we can all coordinate our schedules to spend some Friday nights together, with a movie, pizza, or a Hooley's night, maybe bowling. If we are lucky, maybe some Sundays that include mass, brunch or breakfast and a nice dinner later in the day, after the grass has been freshly cut and the sun is starting to go down, and perhaps a bonfire with smores to top off the evening! Ah, that's really more like it, but "not bad" on a "family time" scale of 1-10!!!
Family vaca to Iowa, that will be solid. We will drink Moscow Mules and catch up with our relatives we have not seen in years. Giving the boys some more "roots" will be like opening buried treasure!!
Of course, the beach house -- not a bad "reality" at all! Lots of vino, food, conversation, laughter and unlimited amounts of love there among all of us. Cannot wait for that week, but I won't wish the summer away. My prayer is that this summer moves like a slow-moving vessel in the Caribbean!
I am savoring these few years where we are all still a family unit, at times, and I know that making memories are the ties that bind. Summer, come slowly, last long, and leave us feeling satiated and rested and ............ truly blessed......
