Ordinary Summer Days

As I think about the victims of wildfires and floods this summer,

the only impact on us being the smoke from far away fires,

I want to say that realizing what we could be facing

is a good reminder to be thankful and to appreciate

normal, every day life.

 Other than celebrating birthdays, 

our summer has been just that ... quite ordinary.

And ordinary is good.

 Some days, kids came in sets for the day or for a few hours

and we walked to the park, of course.

These are the times we snap pictures.

 

Jadey did not go near the water for fear the ducks 

would peck at her toes in her fip fops. 

Our walks usually included the playground.

On inside days we made play dough or rainbow finger jello.

We baked buns or cookies

mini golfed
watched movies

and I had to recall any pool table skills I may have had

in order to teach a very eager boy.

We had ice cream bars and Popsicles when we wanted to,

swings

bubble blowing

sprinkler fun

tricycle rides

coloring and Bible worksheets

dinners on the patio with friends

or family
or just kids ...

and I learned that Jack can feed himself! 

We attended memorial services.
I took mom for medical appointments and tests
cooked jam, made pies
and cleaned cabinets.

These are all ordinary but extra-ordinary 

when we remember they are gifts.

We had a sibling get-together. 

Last week we had a street block party

and I had a small re-union with friends whom I had

not been together with for about 40 years.

A Sunday School teacher from our teen years

asked if we could try to get some of us together

and we had the best visit.

Memories of our time in Indonesia have been fun to share

and reminisce on as well. 

My next care package is in the works already. 

And that's it for a lot of ordinary yet extra-ordinary
summer time randomness to be grateful for.