My friend and fellow writer, Liese Gardner, posted an exceptional article on May 28th, entitled, "Weekend Inspiration: The Moment." In it, she describes the things we never seem to have time for anymore. She writes:
"Growing up, I remember long summer days that stretched out before us with no plans but to walk to a friend’s house and then walk to another friend’s house, and then … who knows? We’d sit in front of the stereo and listen to a new song (or an old one for the 100th time), pick up a camera and make a goofy film or scramble some eggs at midnight just because that sounded good. I see now how sweet those days of no agenda were. Unfettered time allowed us to be present and let the moment reveal itself."
Do you remember those times? I do.
One of those times is reflected in the photo above. Sadly, my family and I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, carrying my dear Brother's ashes. He loved Charleston, a frequent vacation spot for us all, and so we took him there to stay in the sea he loved so much. Because we're all spread across the country, we turned it into an unfettered vacation. With the exception of the ceremony on a boat at sea to set my Brother free, it was a week of precious moments. In the photo, we'd gone to eat dinner, found this giant chair and spontaneously posed for a photo.
Just last weekend, my two nieces, Lee and Franny (pictured on the right arm of the chair and in a white blouse in the back row above), spent time together in Florida at Lee's home to celebrate Franny's birthday. (See photo below.) I lived vicariously through the photos that they shared on Facebook. Oh, how I wish I could have been with them! Such a priceless moment in time.
But, on Sunday, I will board an airplane with my daughter Stephanie. She the girl on the chair in the front on the left. She is my publisher (and my toughest critic I might add), and we are traveling to a Writer's Retreat outside of Dallas. The majority of her stable of writers will gather together there to work, yes, but more importantly to share precious moments together. There will be pool time, game time, trail riding (yes, our hostess has horses!), lots of food and wine and time to do whatever strikes us. More importantly, I will have precious time with my youngest child, of whom I am so very proud. How wonderful is that? Nothing is planned. It will be kinetic and unfold however it happens. I can't think of anything more wonderful than maybe her Brother becoming a writer and joining us! Unfortunately, he's busy running his company, and BTW, I am also very proud of him too.
So, I'll be skipping my note to you next week. I know you'll understand. And, I hope you will take time to find precious moments with those you love. After all, those are the memories that we always seem to remember the most, aren't they?
Til Next Time,
Carol
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