We did it! Summer Is Here. And We Are Ready.

I’ve been in a dry patch with my writing for the past few weeks. I just am not sure what I want to say, or how to even process a lot of what I’m feeling right now.

So I decided to take a little break.

Most people probably didn’t even notice. I just republished a lot of old content, while I sat at home thinking about what I want to say. Or if I want to say anything at all?

Writing is a strange business. Especially the kind of writing I do. You just throw it all out there. It’s kind of like publishing your journals over and over again and then feeling incredibly vulnerable after the little blue Publish box has been clicked.

But I am confident this is what I’ve been called to, at least in this season.

So I will keep pressing forward, In faith. Even if it isn’t always comfortable, and even if I don’t always know what to say. Or how my words will be received.

Today, I decided to throw back to the days of early blogging. There is no theme or important takeaway, or at least that I am aware of right now. It’s more like we are sitting together on the back porch, listening to the birds chirp overhead and feeling the gentle breeze on our skin while we enjoy a hot cup of coffee together. It’s casual.

I don’t know how your past couple of weeks have been, but if you are a parent with school age children, I’m guessing it’s been pretty busy. (Which seems strange to say given our past year.)

Our last week was a whirlwind of online goodbyes, park gatherings, socially distanced graduations and checking to be sure all of the thank you gifts were delivered. It was seeing faces we haven’t seen all year in person. And seeing children and teachers face-to-face we’ve seen all year behind screens.

It was closure. And it was gratitude.

It was tears and smiles. With our year of online learning officially coming to an end, and the thrill of summer beginning to pulse through the house.

The decision whether to learn in-person, or online, once felt so pressing and so impossible, and is now something my heart is incredibly grateful for. We have taken school on the road and have done things we would not normally be able to do in a traditional school year. We have learned new skills, and to say I am proud of the kids would be an understatement.

Summer is officially here and although the year has been relaxed for us, there is still a feeling of excitement as there is no work to turn in, or deadlines to be met.

For me, I am realizing once again, as parents often do, how fast time goes. Our third child has said goodbye to elementary school, and our oldest is just a few years away from graduating high school. Even as I type those sentences, I am amazed that this is our reality.

The end of the year is always a bittersweet time, and this year it feels even moreso.

Summer is here. The sun is shining. Pools are waiting to be jumped in. Sprinklers are keeping yards green, and children cool and happy. Popsicles and drumsticks are being placed in grocery carts, and grills are being fired up.

There is an excitement in the air.

An anticipation of the weeks to come.

Summer is here. And we are ready.