This weekend was simply glorious! The sun was shining…the birds were singing…all was right with the world. It was the simple pleasures of the weekend…rest, relaxation, the great outdoors….that really made it so special.
Saturday we enjoyed attending my oldest son’s basketball tournament in Milwaukee, WI. His team did well, and I’m always in awe at the energy and skill level these young 5th grade boys bring to the game. They are truly remarkable to watch, and it is very apparent that their love of the game shines through every second of play. God has given them a gift and they are using it to its full advantage.
On Sunday, my two older sons went with their dad back down to Milwaukee to finish the tournament so it was just my two daughters and my youngest son, Avery (age 7). My oldest daughter, Kylie, and I went for a 2 mile walk in the morning…..a rare moment with an almost 13 year-old that I would not have traded for the world. The conversation was light…nothing too dramatic, but that’s part of why it was so enjoyable. I shared a story or two from my childhood and she shared with me her knowledge of dog breeds…where certain breeds come from…where they get their name. She is an animal lover to the end, and it was fascinating to find out just how much she knows about dogs.
When we got home, the baby had fallen asleep in her daddy’s arms so I went outside with Avery to enjoy the sunshine. He rode his bike around the yard, and I sat and glanced through a magazine. After a while, he decided to come sit on my lap for a snuggle. We just sat there chatting. It was one of those moments you wish you could bottle up and keep with you forever. We then decided to play with sidewalk chalk…always one of my favorite summer past times. I’m not much of an artist, but I love writing scripture verses or messages of faith in the driveway. I always think it’s in the small opportunities to spread God’s Word that we make the biggest impact ….so I try to do so through sidewalk art.
After the baby woke up, we headed to the park to play some frisbee golf. I could not get past how much energy and zest for live my little 7 year old has. I mean, he literally ran to every basket….he ran to every piece of playground equipment he played on…he ran…and ran…and ran…and ran!!! I can’t imagine being that excited about anything, much less playing at a park; however, his enthusiasm and energy were infectious and just spending time with him made me feel young again!
I finished out the evening with a long walk and talk with an old friend. I hadn’t seen her in ages so it was such a blessing to catch up with her and reconnect. The best part about having my friendship with this particular woman is that we can go months without seeing each other, and then when we do get together, it’s like time stood still.
While nothing extraordinary happened this weekend…just ordinary events. It was in God’s amazing delivery of these simply pleasures that made for such an extraordinary weekend!
