My FREE Summer

One of the beautiful things about being *whisper* "poor" is that you find blessings in the simplest of places. You find that what might be ordinary to most, is actually amazing.

I plan on writing much more about this journey in my life when I am no longer *whisper* "poor" because I don't want anyone to actually know. You know? As with all struggles, I have learned A LOT. And when I think I've humbled myself and learned much more than possible, I learn even MORE! Yes, I will write about it later. I promise you. Hopefully sooner than later... because I can't wait for it to end.

At any rate...

This Summer is exciting! I have loved every single moment with my children, except yesterday when they were pick pick picking on each other until The Captain came home and distracted them with play. (Hooray for an amazing man!) At the beginning of the summer, I wrote down EVERYTHING possible to do around this town that was FREE! Free library program, free movies in the park, free bowling, free coupons for Bulwinkle's with the library program, free magic shows, free puppet shows, free Lego builds at the Lego store (3 hour wait), free movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, free lunch at the school, and so forth. And then there's the always free picnics at the park, kite-flying, boomerang and frisbee throwing, soccer ball kicking, bike riding, popsicles, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, treasures frozen in ice that you break apart with a hammer, kiddie pool, and art projects to name a few...

However, I learned today, the hard way, that there are no more free lunches at the school. The free movies at the theatre are now $1. The free bowling charges for shoes if you get the angry "old" man. I almost lamented the demise of the freebies, but then realized how much we've already enjoyed this week. Friends on Monday with a picnic trip to the park (enjoying our Country Mouse family daughters stand among the playground figuring out exactly what to do, since it did not involve climbing trees or "throwing chickens".), Fourth of July crafts, trips to the library for reading time, science time, songs and games, and playing with MDV and KMcI and children at the park after learning about the non-free's, playdates, and Cub Scouts. Tomorrow we will enjoy a magic show and a movie with Boombah (my dad), and Friday... Well, Friday has yet to be discovered!

What a joyful time, and a fun time. We live in a great town, with endless, safe, possiblities. I am blessed. We are busy and spend most of the day smiling. I remembered today that the times when I have been *whisper* "poor" in all of my life, I have had the most fun because I, or my mother has found need to be creative. I have learned the most, as a child, and taught the most, as a parent, during these times of joyful, eager experimentation and discovery.

May this summer continue to be one of the best, ever, for our family. May my precious children look back fondly, like I do of the summers of my youth.

I will never forget laying in bed, waiting for the sun to dip below the horizon, watching my dad and mom, out my window, working on the garden, pausing to reflect, my dad's arm around my mom's waist, their troubles seemingly light, their home happy.


photo by nativeagle on flickriver.com