This summer I don’t have any desires. Last summer was the massive switching up of the bedrooms. In other years it’s been ordering school books and redesigning the school room. Swimming together was a common daily activity. In years before there was this rush of excitement in having them home with an overwhelming sense of wanting to make the most of time. Summer was my time, our fun time, when I had them all.

Josh was talking this morning how he was thinking about having the boys be his assistants for the summer. It has kind of reached this point with me where unless I am asking them to help me with chores, I do not intuitively know as much what to do with them. This is the age where I feel like kids drift. They no longer need to be watched or tended too as intensely. It’s kind of a magical age where they can fend for themselves.

It’s an easier age than when they were little, so much so that you never quite get over the thankfulness for that relief. I know a mom of a special needs daughter who lives with them, and rather than experiencing the feelings involved with empty nest, she went through the sadness of never getting to have one. As universal as some experiences are for people, there will always be those who’ve been through different.

This morning the kids and I went to church. We still habitually run only a few minutes late. This morning the kids did mention that I had tried this morning to get out the door earlier and they were the ones who’d delayed us. Our pastor is out of town and had not been able to find a fill-in. Dad already had an appointment from six months prior to preach for a pastor who’d not taken a Sunday off in seven years. He went on vacation.

Two of the elders led the service. I could’ve kissed them for being so brave, not a romantic kiss, just a happy one. After church we stopped by County Market and I picked up fried chicken along with some things to make for sides. We waited for Dad and ate lunch together. I took a few pictures later in the evening and sent them to a few moms.