My Summer Adventure

As promised, I am journaling about my summer plans.
The theme of my summer will be
Self-Discovery.
With so many options for learning, exploring and developing...how do you plan?  What do you pack?  Where do you go and how long do you stay?

School has ended and I have no business and no job.  The kids and I plan to spend the next 2 weeks playing at the beach and playgrounds nearby.  It is important to offer continuity and structure to children...even if they are not in school.  The last weekend in June, and first day of July will be my last one here for the summer.  After that we will hit the road for a little Coastal Exploration.  We will visit family and just get away from Rhode Island.  I have always lived here and have been working since I was 14.  This summer I will turn 38....it's time to just take a super-long vacation and that is what I am going to do (sort-of).  Vacation meaning "No job" and travelling...but certainly no break in the action because we are all works in progress and we have to allow our spiritual work to continue no matter where we go.

We have already begun to familiarize the kids with new ideas and how to travel and how to leave things behind and go where you need to go.  It is especially hard for my 10-year old daughter who is attached to everything under the sun.  My son who is 4 is much more easy-going and although he likes things structured, and has a few favorite items, he is much more apt to hop in the car and go on an adventure.  My daughter likes to sleep in her own bed and be close to her friends and make her own plans.  These are typical teenager traits, which shows me that my daughter is too settled and growing up too fast.  I want her to develop at least a comfort-level while in transition.  She doesn't have to have the intense wanderlust of her Mother, but at least the ability to release and detach a bit.  I would also love to see her develop a greater connection to nature.  My son is very nature-oriented and will literally stop riding his bike to pick a flower (for himself!).  My daughter just wants to get to the next party and be seen and heard.

It is amazing how different kids can be.  They are related and they can be similar at times....but totally different personalities.  My 10 year old daughter is a Sagittarius and my 4 year old son is a Taurus. So for people who understand astrology, I have an archer/fire-sign and a stubborn ram of an earth sign.  Today we rode bikes to the playground and ate a picnic lunch.  I jogged...and went on the swing...  I even took a few turns around the block on a bike.  I have not ridden a bike in nearly 5 years!  It felt great...very exhilerating!  Tomorrow we are going to try the local public pool and hopefully go to Bank of America where we can make a donation to a friend in need.  Later this week we will probably spend a full day at the beach and then maybe go to the movies!  Some of these things may sound mundane to you because they are common for a lot of people.  But hidden in the smallest moments of our lives are opportunities for bonding and deepening connections that enrich our souls.  Some people just go through the motions of these activities but I like to really Dig down deep,and suck the marrow out of life (to quote Henry David Thoreau).

In the past month we have taken the kids to the Forests of New Hampshire for hiking where they explored waterfalls, wooded mountain paths, swimming and just taking in the breathtaking views of the White Mountains.  We have taken the children to the seashore at night and to late night dinners at restaurants.  This summer I want them to realize they are more than their surroundings and their attachments.  I want them to discover how capable they are.  I want them to gain mastery and confidence with certain life-skills and recreational activities.  I hope they can learn from me as I learn to adapt to living the way I truly want to...in accordance with my heart and soul's true desires and passions.  In time, I hope I can figure out what I want to dedicate myself to as a career.  Perhaps there is a special job awaiting me and perhaps it will turn out to be full-time Motherhood...who knows?  for now, these moments of speculation and writing will suffice.  I hope you enjoyed listening.  Wish me luck!

Lilac