Never Ever Dull
With every conversation, I always seem to end with "Never a dull moment"....our lives are rich, complex, and beautiful stories. Join me in laughing about everyday things and appreciating life-bumpy roads and all.
Thirty years ago, my parents introduced the idea of summer vacations at the beach to their four children. Doesn't sound uncommon except that we were all springing forward into that next leg of our journey in adulthood in eager anticipation of what the future would hold for us individually...not necessarily seeing the bigger picture. My wise parents had decided to keep the family united by having us all commit to one week of gathering together in the middle of summer. We did. Who knew that we would continue this tradition through dating, marriages, pregnancies, births, adoptions, divorce, cancer, and all sorts of changes in jobs and homes. Looking back, I am so thankful for that first conversation about summer vacations and realize the importance of that first vacation. Sure, we had enjoyed going to the beach every summer as little kids. But this was different. We didn't realize the significance of the foundation being laid out before us. Now our children enjoy being together and having "cousin time". In fact, it goes beyond the one week commitment in the summer. The cousins use social media to communicate daily with each other. Maybe my parents knew the legacy they were striving for thirty years ago would turn into a close-knit family that would continue traditions and more as their four grew up and passed on the heartbeat of what makes families.
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As the forms came off the printer, I grabbed my pen armed and ready to answer the questionnaire about my puppy. I realize the importance of getting my paperwork completed since Mr. Banks has his trial temperament test the next day at the doggie day care. I absolutely had to have Mr. Banks pass his trial period since we head to the beach and need to board him while we're away. I have no Plan B. Just need Mr. Banks to pass inspection and get that pass to return for a little doggie vacation while we do the people vacation. My youngest is the first and only one to go to camp. So, you would think: get him excited, help him pack, and simply send him on his merry way. Right?! Not exactly. Here's what went down this week.
I realize that the packing list included Christmas clothes. What?! The camp planned to celebrate Christmas in July. Loved that idea until I realized we didn't own any Christmas outfits that would work. So, where does one go to find Christmas-y clothes in the sizzling summer? After begging and sending out pleas, a dark blue sweatshirt with some polar bears and silver and gold glitter was donated for the cause. Just what every 13 year old boy wants to wear the first time he goes off to camp. Next, I figure out how big care packages are for kids to receive. I had bought two real Hallmark cards but mommy guilt creeps in that I need to do more. Off to Target I go! I found fake mustaches, ice breakers, Swedish fish, and sour gummy critters of some kind. I was pretty proud as I blew the dust off my crafty items and created some cards. Whew! That was done. Suitcase packed. Linens ready. One happy boy. Now, ready for a road trip to Camp! Er....it was beautiful. Great scenery. Lots of farms. Middle of no where. Away from the hustle and bustle. Serenity at its best. Then, we heard the sound. That odd, thumping sound that everyone in the car knows is a sign of bad things to come. We pull off. I get out, walk around, and note the rear passenger tire is flatter than a pancake. I get back in, start the car back up to give everyone some desperately needed AC on this 90 plus degree humid North Carolina summer day. I reach for the cell. Who do I call? Never mind. There's no cell service. Suddenly, the Green Acres life is not the life for me. I leave my kids (gulp!) with AC running and walk trying to get cell phone service anywhere along this back country road. Waving my phone way up in the air and stretching. Nope. No luck. A car approaches, slows down, window lowers, and out pops the friendliest face I've ever seen. This lady says, "Hooooonnnnnney, if you're looking for cell phone service, you won't find any for 10 or more miles-not until you reach the church, the one at the top of the hill. They won't put towers down here cause they say they're not enough people who live here. " We chat. She volunteers to drive my whole crew to camp. We load all our stuff into her car. And the adventure continues. At camp, Ms. Friendly comes along and tells everyone our story. She seems to know so many people and loves to introduce us to her students and to their parents (she taught them too!). The camp guys go down the road, find my car, plug the tire, and bring back my Tank. Giving my youngest a tight hug for every day we won't be together, I realize all the parents have left. I know it's time to leave, but good byes are tough. We then say good-bye to Ms. Friendly and head to the Tank. Back on the two lane country roads, all is good until....you guessed it. Another thumping sound. Same sound as earlier. From the same location in the Tank. We pull over into an abandoned gas station. No cell service again. A car pulls in and the kind folks ask about our magnetic stickers attached to the sides of my Tank. What?! Then, they ask if I knew I had a flat. Ummmm...yes, that's why I pulled over into a gas station that has weeds the size of trees. Of course, I know. They offer to go fetch me help from camp. I thank them and off they go. The camp guys arrive (picture an old western with the good guy hero riding up on his horse and you get the idea). They work hard with the sun beating down on them. The spare is good and we're ready to go. Once again. We drive home. No music blaring just so we can listen out for any other peculiar noises. We make it home. Tired, thankful, and a bit sad that my youngest in away from me for the first time. |
AuthorFun-loving mom to 4 kids and 1 big puppy. Fifth grade teacher of amazing little people who have never ending things to share with me. Love to discuss Jesus, diy projects, and life. Trying to keep it simple: Love Jesus, love people. Archives
December 2021
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