The Journey - Celebrations

Celebrations are part of our journey together. They can be symbolic of something great or  meaningful or simply a fun activity. I like all kinds.

With the Fourth of July celebrations winding down I've been thinking about the family gatherings and special activities taking place across our nation. Summer get-togethers are especially fun because we usually do something outdoors - picnics, swimming, boating or playing games. And summertime foods are especially delicious.

For my family, the Fourth is usually kind of low key, although some years we've taken part in community celebrations, working alongside friends and family to reach out and celebrate our country's birthday with crowds of people. And I especially love Fourth of July parades. Most often, though, with us it's just family. We kind of hang out around home and enjoy one another's company. The younger folks play games while us "old" folks laugh and cheer them on. And there is always something interesting to talk about, especially when my brother Bruce is here (like this year). He's always full of Alaskan tales.

We have good food, with watermelon being a must have. Fireworks of some kind always top off the day. I love laying under a dark sky and watching a huge display of colors and sounds, but this year we decided to purchase our own and wait until the sun set to enjoy a  more conservative display right in our own front yard while the kids cheered and clapped. The littlest in our clan, Kadin, thought they were pretty cool. Next year he'll probably get to run around the yard with his own sparklers. This year he just watched wide eyed and smiling.

I have some warm and wonderful memories of past Fourths, spent with friends and family. One time, I was sick and my father wrapped me up in a blanket and carried me to a get together at our neighbors so I wouldn't miss out. I think it was one of my favorite Fourths ever because my dad made me feel special and loved by making sure I could be there. And then there was the time when me and my family attended a special fireworks display in our community. One of the fireworks fell back into the launching pad and set off all the fireworks at the same time. Everyone was diving behind cars to keep from getting hit by a flying fireball. I was little and don't remember, but I can imagine what it was like.

Do you have special Fourth of July memories? What did you do this year?

I  hope you all had a great time and didn't forget how blessed we are to live in the USA.

The Journey -- Summer Fun

Dad was using a light line here and finally had to shoot this
one to get it in.  Whatever it takes, right?

My father was a fisherman, not a once in a while kind of fisherman, but the kind who lives to fish. He had trouble thinking about doing much of anything else.





That is until he met my mother way back in 1945. Their romance was one for books, in fact I may tell their story one day.

Mom & Dad in 1945. Aren't they cute.

When my father asked my mother to marry him she said yes . . . but she needed his assurance that she and family came before fishing. My father agreed. He never went back on his word, though he continued to love fishing and went when he could.

Needless to say, fishing was part of my early childhood. I didn't love it the way Dad did or my brothers did, but when I think back to those days, fishing trips were some of the best times we shared as a family. I'm thankful my dad never gave up a sport he loved. When a person walks away from a passion out of a false sense of duty it can create resentment and barriers between people who love one another.My father was a wise man so instead of relinquishing his love of fishing he made it part of our life together.

Me. I thought this was a REALLY big fish. Hah!

Now, these are BIG fish - trout. Dad and the boys caught them at
Teslin Lake in the Yukon Territory.

One weekend's worth of fishing. I'm the cute one on the left.  "wink"

So, what does fishing have to do with my journey? For me, it's all about family, fun, the beauty of nature and respect for someone else's passion. And the delicious meals that came from our fishing expeditions. 

I still love to fish, though I don't get to go very often these days. However, we have plans for the summer to trek into the mountains with our children and grandchildren and launch our boat into a high mountain lake. We'll float around on quiet waters, lazing in the sun and wait for a bite on the end of our lines. There will be sweet time together, quiet conversations, laughter and with any luck plucky fish hauled on board the boat. And I expect unexpected difficulties and irritations as well. All precious memories to be stored away in our minds and our hearts waiting for just the right moment to be lifted into our consciousness. Treasures to uplift and inspire us or maybe simply to quiet us. Reflections for dark days or when we gather together for recollections.

The fun of creating memories and shaping spirits is part of our journey, even if it's something as simple as fishing. The richness of my family and all our adventures means I'll never run out of recollections. 

Thank you, Mom and Dad. 

What do you like to do for summertime fun? Or anytime fun?

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie