How is the summer more than half over? This has been a strange summer of neither full-on pandemic nor normal life.
There have been a few day camps and VBS kinds of things for the kids this summer plus the implementation of some new chores and responsibilities. As a result, I feel like I’ve been driving, enforcing, and generally on call 24/7 through the last month.
I’m trying to grab onto the joys of each day rather than wishing for fall, which is how I usually feel by this point in the summer. Fall will bring school, busyness and a lot of other things, both good and difficult. But I hope I can still manage to pull a little more joy out of the summer days, if the temps can manage to stay below 90. (When we get into the 90’s no one at my house is happy, or enjoying life).
Loved
We got to spend a few days with family who we haven’t seen in years (including our adorable new nephew!). We also got to spend a leisurely few days with friends. The visit flew by and already feels like months or even years ago rather than only weeks. I’m trying to believe we’ll all see each other soon but after the long absence it’s hard to hope again. But mostly I’m holding onto the wonderful moments of our visit. Long hours of board games, time sitting on the patio debriefing each other on the good and the bad of the last months and years, and the joy of simply being together.
I cried as we drove away, as I always do, both with gratitude for the time we had and sorrow that it had to be over so soon.
Read
I’m almost done with Birds, Beasts and Relatives and I’ve started reading Sixteen Brides (which I read before years ago) because I was in the mood for a western with a happy ending. I’m also finishing up Homeschool Bravely and The Book Whisperer as I prepare to finish up our homeschool year.
In general, I’m trying to read more, even if that means I always have a book in my purse for wait times instead of diving into my phone to check up on email or scroll social media. I know that when the fall comes, I’m going to have to make sure I set aside the time or I won’t make it happen. So I’m trying to build some new habits now.
Treasured
I’ve gotten back to the piano this week after another long absence. The relaxing summer I was planning on didn’t happen (partially because of my own failure to prioritize rest), and my creative life has suffered. My writing has made little progress and it’s easy to feel discouraged. When I sit down at the piano I am reminded of how far I’ve come. I took lessons for eleven years, only stopping when I left for college. I didn’t play regularly again until just a couple years ago. I struggle through pieces of music that I used to play flutently and frustrate myself with pieces I know were challenging then, and even more so now. Sometimes my fingers remember well other times not at all. Some days it feels as though I’m getting worse not better.
Daily practice is rare but I choose to celebrate and enjoy the days that it happens and the more I set aside the time, the easier it is to find it.
Ahead
I’m starting a new job! I mean, technically I’ve already started, and I’ve been scrambling to figure out how my regular work-from-home hours will fit into our already jam packed family life. It will be easier once the school year starts because my new job entails being on campus at my kids’ hybrid school the same days they will be there. So I’ll be saving on back and forth time, and get a little bit of time away from my kids (even if I am also working) which hasn’t happened on the regular for a while.
I’m looking forward to having the consistency and dependability of job hours, and feeling like something actually gets accomplished, since so much of my life is literally rinse/repeat. While I value my life of being home with my kids and teaching them, a think the change will help revitalize my focus and help me to feel more useful.
I’m working hard to find my feet and create routines that work for our family and fortunately I have another week in July to make that happen.
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Congratulations on returning to the piano! Just this week, my husband and I got our family room cleaned up after it had been used as a bedroom for many months – which meant that I could get anytime access to my piano again! I’m looking forward to getting it tuned soon and hope to make regular focused practice part of my days again. Enjoyed dropping by for your four somethings today!
Congratulations on your new job! I’m glad you got to enjoy some time with family and friends, and that you’re playing the piano. I play too, and I’m also conscious that I am not as good as I used to be, but I do find it a good way to relax.
Congrats – on your new job (sounds ideal) and for getting back into the piano. I so regret letting all those years of practice and learning simply evaporate. Sigh. Enjoy the rest of your summer:)
They are never completely gone. After 15 years away, I’m surprised how much has survived.
I also had time with family that I hadn’t seen in years and will be visiting friends in a few days. The Kindle app on the phone is a great way to always have a book with you too 🙂
My husband uses his Kindle phone app. I’m far more likely to throw my book or Kindle in my purse because otherwise I find other things to do on my phone when I’d rather be reading. 🙂
Bethany, I can imagine how wonderful it must be to get back to playing the piano, my daughter finds it almost like therapy! Congratulations on your new job, sounds like a good fit and once you settle in will be a true blessing!
Have fun at the new job! For the first time my kids are at a co-op that I don’t need to teach at so I will have a day to myself.