Walking through doors . . .

. . . when I went back to college as a non-traditional student (yup, wasted the first time I went on parties and not studying) when my last child was in school full time, I had to write an essay on any subject in order for them to determine what English class would fit my talents.  You know the categories - was she Pulitzer prize special, not so very special but she can spin a yarn okay or she spelled most of the words correctly and included several complete sentences.  It was the fall term and summer had just ended so for my subject I chose the classic - "what I did over my summer vacation".  Only I didn't write about my vacation, I wrote a very clever and humorous essay about how I needed a vacation from summer.  

If you have children or have had children, you know that summer can be more hectic (if that is possible!) than any other time of year.  Various lessons, practices, baseball/softball games, camps, Bible school, fairs, 4-H can leave you in a cloud of dust for 3 solid months.  I couldn't wait for school to start to have a rest!

But because my children are now grown, I have left those summer whirlwinds behind me.  I have walked through that door.

For the past several years (more than I would like to count), summers have been more leisurely.  At least I'm not spending the day in the car, schlepping kids here and there!  It seems that the days still go by quickly because there is always something that needs to be tended to.  Crops to tend to, lawns to tend to, flowers to tend to, grandkids to tend to, actual vacations to tend to.  But this summer is different.  All of my usual plans and activities have been derailed.  I have walked temporarily through another door.

This summer is all about my daughter's wedding.  Everything else seems to be put on hold.  We both wake up thinking of the things that need to be finished (or started!) for the wedding.  We spend our days traveling to find that perfect piece for decorations.  We go to bed dreaming of the wedding that we both have envisioned.  But I must confess, some days my heart is not into it like it should be.  Am I procrastinating on finishing things because of a deep seated fear of losing my daughter?  Do I not encourage her to make final decisions because if she doesn't decide, the process will take longer and we will get to spend more time together?  Or maybe it is as simple as thinking I can make a wedding beautiful and I just don't have the talent so I am afraid of trying!  Whatever the reason, we are knee deep in wedding preparations and still have so many things to accomplish.  I only hope that she is enjoying the process (as slow as it seems to be going) as much as I am!

Anyway, in a few short months, I am preparing myself to walk through another door.  And I will leave my spot open for a son-in-law to take my place.

So my posts may be far and few between this summer.  Forgive me.  Remember me.  And check up on me every once in awhile so I can come up for air.

Oh, and by the way, my "what I did over my summer vacation" essay earned me an A and an opportunity to skip that dreaded freshman English class altogether!   

Now, go and enjoy every single minute of your kids' summer activities and your busy lives.  In just a blink of an eye, you'll be watching your child walking down the aisle too!