I asked my kids their favorite thing about summer so far and what I found to be interesting was the simplicity of the things that they were loving.
Bike rides to a new school park near our house, a water balloon fight when it was raining and cool outside, frisbee, and four square.
It made me think maybe we could take a breath and give ourselves the grace to stop trying to out-summer our summer. The best moments of our kids’ summer can happen after work with a frisbee or in the neighbor’s sprinklers.
Give yourself permission to have no plan for the day. What your people may need this summer is more simplicity.
Yesterday Samantha wanted to throw the frisbee. Now, I’m going to admit that it started out in a way that wasn’t the most enjoyable, since it was landing all over the place, but as we started closer together and just practiced tossing it back and forth, we got better. She created the game and I followed her lead, without inserting any ideas. I sat where she suggested I sit, and if we threw the frisbee poorly, we would boo…together. If it was pretty good, we would walk across the yard and high five. If it was a great throw, she would call us together with her finger and we would meet in the middle for a hug. It melted my heart. It was simple, it was her idea and her plan. It was a really good time. It may be my favorite moment so far this summer.
Time is a gift in the summer. I want to hand it out to my people generously and steward it well.
This Fourth of July weekend, fill your calendars with fireworks, but in those pockets of time when your kids want to throw the ball…throw the ball. If they want to catch a firefly, run in the yard and catch a firefly. Meet them.
If may not be your “most exhilarating” moment of the week, but it may be the most treasured. Let’s not take for granted what is right in front of us. Give yourself permission to simplify and follow your kids’ lead.
Happy 4th of July!
Now, let’s go cast the fishing pole.
