Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Summertime and the Livin' was So Easy

Labor Day has come and gone, so I guess that means that summer is over? Ever since our kids were little, Labor Day meant that school started and we got into a regular schedule. For us, like many others, that schedule included all the normal stuff, soccer, baseball, basketball, dance classes, piano classes, doctors' and dental appointments and so on. Homework, class projects and teacher conferences added to mix. Somehow we muddled through. Dinner became a supper on the run or a Crockpot meal that could be eaten whenever.  There seemed to be no end to the laundry and the showers ran constantly. How did we juggle it all? Summer always seemed a distant dream back then. Now all the hustle and bustle of the school year is over and everyday can be like a summer day, lazy and one to be savored.

This summer, 2013, we did a little bit of savoring and I am so very thankful that we did. May was a beautiful month in the mountains and we took a short trip to a beautiful, peaceful inn where we met some old friends. We didn't hurry to see any sights: just enjoyed being together. There is nothing like a visit with old friends to refresh and relax.

In June we visited with some new friends as well as family. That journey was more than sixty years in the making and could be a blog post on its own and may very well be so one day. Right now it is sufficient to say that it was an out-of-body experience, especially for my husband. We were humbled and felt love like we had never felt before. That is my story and I am sticking to it, for now.

We then made our journey to "the special place" of all our summers, Charlevoix. The old cottage opened its ancient arms and hugged us tightly. Although everyone couldn't be with us this summer; we did have two grand-darlings to spoil and their parents to help rein our spoiling ways. Writing this down now sounds dull, but it really was exciting and every bit as wonderful as ever. The kids went to "Gang" on the beach where they played and partied like rock stars! It's funny how each generation of"Gangsters" think that they discovered this place. I guess that they do discover it because everything is new and exciting. Golf, tennis, treasure hunts, the troll door in the tree, golf kart rides to see deer and trips to the "Dairy Grille" are all part of the experience. It sounds mundane but believe me it is anything but. To those little ones this place is heaven. Did I mention that bike riding around the park is as great as the Indie 500? I loved every wet-towel, dripping popsicle, chicken nugget, pizza eating, ice cream cone minute of it and sobbed like a baby when we had to leave.

Back at home we found a swamp where our garden had been because it had rained the whole time that we were away. The rain continued, but we found a little joy here and there. We had all the grand-darlings together when the two little ones and their mother came for a visit. This old house rocked and rolled. Each day was an adventure and best of all, there was ice cream everyday. I love summer. We swam when the  sun peaked out its head. We even managed to get G'papa to a movie!

Time passes quickly when one is happy and enjoying life, but when sadness comes the effect is like all the air is sucked out of the universe and time stops. We lost a dear friend this summer. He was an old friend and one of the first people we met when we moved to this place so many years ago. His life was a story that is not mine to tell, but I will say that he loved his wife and family deeply and wholeheartedly. Each time I read a funny joke in my e-mail, I have to remind myself that he is no longer at his computer chuckling along with me. I miss that chuckle! There really is no one like an old friend. There is a shared history between you that is always there. Our history has stopped and it ended this summer.

We got another chance to visit with the far away grand-darlings in August. Their mom had a conference in one town and their dad had a meeting in another town. Papa and Tiki (us) went to the rescue! A trip to an aquarium, a park and more ice cream were the order of the day. Again, we loved every minute of it and boo-hooed when it ended and they waved their little hands as we each went our separate ways; they to the west we to the east. I hate that feeling! There is always a hole in my heart when they leave me. Papa feels it too, but you know how men are. Christmas is a long time away, but there is Thanksgiving to think about.

August brought more joy! We had little one number five for a couple of weekends while her parents had some weekend jaunts. she, the Brazilian tornado, lost her first teeth at our house. We saved the little pearls so that the tooth fairy could go to her house . She is a delight.

Our older grand-darlings are not as present as they once were, but they are teen-agers now and we understand. They were once small and lost teeth, dripped popsicles and played with our hearts. They still play with our hearts but now in a more almost-grown-up sort of way. We savor any time that they are willing to visit with the old folks.

Late August brought another old friend to us. She and I have been best buddies since we were in the seventh grade. We are so different that I wonder how in the world we have managed to keep our friendship alive. She has travelled all over the world and is as smart as a whip. I have been a few places and can multiply a recipe to feed the masses. How can we still love each other and talk for hours on end? We have that shared history that i mentioned before. We remember each other as the awkward teens we once were. We knew the same people and neighborhoods. We miss the ones we have lost as we have grieved together over our fathers and my mother. We compare husbands and discover that, even though they did not have the same careers, they are alike in so many ways. Together we checked our wrinkles and complained about knees that have betrayed us. In between the comparisons we cooked together, shopped together and cried together when she had to leave. There is another hole in my heart today because she is back at home and I miss her!

Okay, I am a cry-baby and proud of it. Some one once told me that an old Jewish saying was that, "Tears are to the soul what soap is to the body". So after a summer of much cleansing, I am moving forward toward fall and winter. We, the hubster and I, are refreshed and renewed, at least I keep telling myself that. The truth is that I still miss some of the hustle and bustle as well as the promise that September brings.

Another good friend pointed out to me that everyday can be like summers past, relaxing, lazy and full of promise. Retirement does have some advantages. That is _my_ story and I am sticking to it!