Family

Remember when you were a kid and your parents dragged you to all those family picnics in the summer? And all you wanted to do was stay home and be with your own friends? We couldn't understand how our parents could be so happy to see cousins, aunts, uncles; you know those people you only see once or twice a year? Then the teen years came and those cousins were actually quite fun to hang out with when the parents weren't around. Then the high school years flew by and everyone started going their own way, off to college working; meeting their spouses. Keeping in touch was at the holidays and summer picnics. We found out it was fun talking and catching up on each other's lives and where they were headed. Then it was wedding showers, weddings, and babies, and all of a sudden we were parents ourselves making us realize the joy of parenting and the importance of family. We now started planning those summer picnics and family parties so our kids could spend time with their cousins and get to know their aunts and uncles. And we were our parents saying "they are family and one day you will cherish these times". Then all of a sudden we are the grandparents and our children are now planning the family get together. Yesterday I was blessed to experience the full circle, 4 generations of family spending a beautiful summer day together. The youngest great grandchild being 3 months old while the man responsible for this wonderful family is now 82 years old!!!

End of Summer

Labor Day already and it certainly has been a short summer. The weather has been cool and rainy. I took Madison to the park the other night and the smell of fall was in the air. She is so excited about going to Kindergarten! Her joy about life in general is infectious; true is the saying to see the joy through a child's eyes is to see God's blessings on the world.