Readers,
You are about to read a poem written by my dad. Every year family members from Florida, Colorado (my family), Iowa, and Minnesota gather at the “The Lake.” My blog’s theme for the month of July is independence. Independence and freedom are interconnected. The places I always feel the most free are in the great outdoors. My most special freedom spot is at the lake in Minnesota. My dad and I shared that love. Whenever I’m here, I miss him deeply, and am grateful for family memories and family interdependence.
If there can be a heaven on earth, let us call it…
Tell me of your journey
did it seem long
© LoriWildenberg. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Lori Wildenberg is a licensed parent and family educator, parent coach, and co-founder of 1Corinthians13 Parenting.com. She has written 6 books including Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home; The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections; and her most recent book, Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation. Contact Lori for your next event or for parent consulting or parent training courses. Lori can also be found mentoring over at the MOMS Together Group on Facebook.
Our family made a big chart with brightly colored markers and set summer goals – physical, spiritual, intellectual, recreational. It sounds really contrived, but it was fun! The kids loved it and Katy still does it as an adult. 🙂 I think I got the idea originally from a book called Sanity in the Summertime by Claudia Arp.
Your kids must have loved it if the tradition is carrying on! It sounds like you and John participated too. Very cool.