As promised, thought I’d share withyou a few of the lessons of summer ‘09.
Best memory of the summer is snorkeling with the cubs in the British Virgin Islands. It is a rare, wonderful way to explore … and not just because they can’t talk while they do it. We swam hand-in-hand as we drifted and just watched an amazing undersea world float by. Since we couldn’t talk (much), we had to pay attention to our environment and each other. And I adored watching my husband, Matt (often referred to as HOTY for Husband Of The Year), swim with our cubs. Grace and Jack on either side, his big bear paws holding their tiny hands. He has the uncanny ability to calm them or boost them simply with his demeanor or tone of voice. They respect him so much, they never question him when he says everything will be okay or they can do something.
Here are a few more lessons of summer.
You can spend 7 days on a boat with family and still love them, maybe even more. Separate bathrooms are key … along with a clear understanding if who is cooking and who is cleaning.
It’s important to keep your own beat. Matt and I took a hand drumming class at Drumz this summer. Incredible experience to spend time just drumming with others. You don’t have to speak, don’t think of anything but your own beat. In fact, the minute you allow yourself to have the thought, “I got it!” … you lose it. Important lesson for the rest of my life – it’s important to keep my own beat and not allow the rhythm of others to speed me up or slow me down.
I like my husband. I mean I love him, of course, but I learned REALLY like him, too! Sending our children away for four weeks of sleep-away camp was great couples therapy!
Speaking of camp … some cheers, songs and jokes never go out of style. Trust me, I heard them ALL, several times on the two-hour trip back from summer camp.
Final lesson … you can do a LOT of growing up in four short weeks. Grace went to camp as an often goofy, sometimes shy 10-year-old and returned as a true-hearted Kiowa with new self-confidence, sure of herself, her abilities, her personality and her style. Gave me a glimpse into the amazing woman she will soon be. When we left Jack at camp he gave us is usual smile, but I knew he was nervous. Sleep-away camp was NOT his idea of fun, but we knew four-weeks steeped in all things boy would do this little brother good. Four weeks later, I saw a Golden Arrow warrior standing in front of me. He had tried new things, learned he could stand on his own. Another amazing person I am thrilled to know.
