Skip to main content

Seasons of Life

We spent a week with "the kids" and their own kids, and we wonder where the time has gone. It's both a joy and a sadness when the grown children become self-sufficient and in charge of their own time and space. Sometimes it's frustrating, too:). But that goes with the territory. Sometimes things go awry - again, part of the growing process of stepping back and letting life go on. And sometimes you experience such a sense of accomplishment that everyone made it this far, in spite of yourself. I think all parents go through this, at least the ones I talk to.

Generationally, it's interesting to watch parenting styles emerge. Discipline and rewards...all part of raising children. And spending quality time doing what is important to raise your children to be independent thinkers and problem solvers. Personally, we think it very important for children to spend time outdoors, learning to appreciate nature. Did our children want to participate in this philosophy while we were raising them? Not particularly. But that didn't stop us from at least arranging opportunity - such as occasional camping trips and time fishing. We also encouraged summer camps and scouting.
Our own children are a mixed bag of appreciation. This week we spent time with two who have differing ideas on that "nature" piece. Both appreciate nature, but one is much more proactive about outdoor play time - both as a family and as individuals. My son and his wife have the good fortune to have access to a mountain cabin, with close proximity to many outdoor activities. My daughter, on the other hand, participates willingly but is more a "city kid."


How does this happen, when both are raised the same way? So interesting. Her kids go outside and play, don't get me wrong, but a trip to New York City is more up her alley, and her son already talks about going. He enjoyed fishing and playing in the woods, and even get dirty (which he really doesn't like very well). We laughed as he learned to play with his cousin, very much an outdoor, all-American boy. What fun it's been to see our own dreams for our kids come to life.


So funny that this granddaughter has the same aversion to grass that her mother did!


So now we head home, enjoying road-tripping across the country. As we build adult relationships with our children we keep in mind some very important advice:


Faith, hope and love...and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13




Have a blessed day.

Comments

Christine said…
OMG, my son only has one leg!
Christine said…
Oh, and I still don't like the feel of grass.
just something about kids ... especially one's own or one's grandchildren. just makes you happy and content to see them running and crying and learning and laughing, and just being loved. this made my day. thank you for sharing.

also, loved the Highland photos from your parade. seriously made me miss my time (and home) in Virginia...

;)
S. Etole said…
Those are some pretty cute grandkids!
I'm at the stage where my chidren (twins 24 and a girl 18) are just leaving the nest. You can tell already how different they all are. We'll see how they raise their kids but I suspect there will be three different styles.

A great post!

Popular posts from this blog

100 Blessings

It's funny how a project takes on a life of its own. I started out making a list of things I'd like to take pictures of - piles of M&M's, rocks on the beach, license plates hanging on an old garage door. Then I decided it would be interesting to find 100 items about "me," celebrating my 100th post with items about me/my life/etc. This way I could tie my compulsion to blog in to my theme. So, I started THAT list. And when I was done I decided all the things I was collecting, ideas as well as items, were actually blessings. Things about my life that make me who I am and allow me to keep striving to be the best I can be at what I do. Each activity isn't necessarily a blessing, it's my ability to do the things I love to do, and be with the people I love to be with. This became an introspective activity, and that's probably where I am in my life right now. If the shoe fits..., so to speak. So, welcome to my 100th Post ! Without everyone I've met thr

Macro Monday + One

With a little help from my friend (+1=not macro, though taken with my macro lens) Things I Love About Summer (in no particular order, though I see food appears higher on the list than does exercise.) Picnics Fresh fruit Fresh vegetables Celebrations Fireworks Family reunions Quiet, country mornings Showy meadows Gentle rains Thunder storms Family gatherings Children's laughter at dusk The sound of dogs barking Windows open Gently blowing curtains Big puffy clouds Being warm Sandals The smell of fresh cut grass The sound of lawn mowers Sitting on the porch reading Time The colors Flowers GREEN Leaves on the trees Adventures Photo ops Waves on the beach Ice cream Long walks Riding bikes Having church outside at the pavilion Camping Boating Fairs Sunrise and Sunsets The Great Lakes I'm sure this isn't the entire list, but it's a good start. It could also become a "things I'm grateful for" list, as well. We need to take time periodically to reflect on all t

Restoration in the Works!

  The Ammi Wright House.  Built 1888.         Our town has some pretty remarkable older homes and businesses.  Many have already been restored and are residences and/or businesses.   We went to a meeting the other night which focused on how to go about restoring a beautiful old lumber Barron's home - the Ammi Wright house, just off the main street. It has been empty for a great many years and needs a lot of work to bring it back to life.  But this group of people can do it.   The building itself is already purchased as part of an agreement with the Gratiot Area Historical Society.  Located in a nearby town, they have purchased it and Alma will be part of this system.  We are now forming committees for all the areas which need to be addressed, including historical research, fundraising, publicity, etc.  Lots of work, and lots of interest.  There is a steering committee in place, and we all signed up for an area we feel comfortable helping with.  Mine is research, which is no surpris