18 Summers

*steps up to the microphone

tap tap tap… is this thing on???

Hello! Long time no blog. I’ve thought of at least a dozen things to blog about over the last however long, but none of them inspired me enough to actually open up ye olde computer and type something in.

Life has been full with work and kids and farms and droughts and plans and projects. Full but good. Something had to give and it was blogging that took the back seat. Rest assured that we are chugging along just fine.

We have spent the summer relaxing with family, making memories. I read somewhere many years ago that we only get 18 summers with our children. At the time, surrounded by small children, the prospect sounded daunting, but now on the tail end of our fourteenth summer, I can say that 18 summers are not enough. Not even close – so we are savouring every last minute of this summer.

We’ve spent time building giant turtles out of the sand on the beach and diving into the pool for hours on end, picking mulberries and playing on the dam, lying on the floor listening to stories being read by uncles and having adventures with cousins. It’s been magical.

We’ve played lego for hours, read books, done jigsaw puzzles, played board games, watched movies, helped C feed sheep and do bits around the farm and laid on the couch under the air conditioner enjoying the luxury of doing nothing. We’ve stayed up way too late and slept in before doing it all again. As I said, magical.

Last night I was wandering the garden in the fading light, enjoying the brief reprieve from the heat that an afternoon storm had brought. I looked back at the house, with the shadows of the kids in the windows (it was way past bedtime but they were still up – oh well), and was just so grateful that we are able to have this life. The physical space for them to grow and explore and create, and the emotional space that the physical distance gives us. Space for them to be who they want to be without some of the pressures of modern city life. I love that the farm gives our family a chance to work together and play together, not just in the summer, but all year round.

18 summers are not enough, and I’m coming to the conclusion that 18 years are not enough – not even close!