2:1

We just returned from a delightful road trip to Austin.  We made this 5 hour round trip trek on great highways, through beautiful country to spend 2.5 hours with Gar.  Ratios are great for measuring business success, but can't begin to capture the benefit of time spent with those we love.

This experience reminded me that impact and importance trump statistics in our personal relationships.

Gift of Time

Sometimes time together is the best gift we can give and receive.

In our interactions with those we cherish, how we perceive things may or may not align with their perceptions. What joy when we view the experiences similarly!

Yesterday a friend shared a story that illustrates this beautifully. One day Charles took his son Brooks fishing. He wrote in his journal of that day, "Went fishing with my son; a day wasted." His son also wrote of that exact same day in his journal. Only his entry read like this, "Went fishing with my father; the most glorious day of my life."

Gift of Time

Many of us are racing against the clock to finish our work year and achieve all the things on our personal agenda.  There are projects, meetings and reports at work.  At home we try to combine Martha Stewart's decorating and entertaining skills with Santa's intuitive ability to create the perfect gifts beautifully delivered. We trust that the U.S. Postal Service will achieve their normal two-day delivery of our Christmas cards once we stamp the final greeting.

In the hustle to accomplish everything, we can lose focus of the joy of spending time with those we cherish.  Dinners, lunches, cocktails, galas, concerts and impromptu visits with neighbors provide the unwrapped gifts of time to enjoy our relationships.  The gift of time is priceless. 

Lovely Surprise

I was so eagerly anticipating Julia's arrival yesterday, but anxious about her arriving at 8:00 p.m. on the busiest air travel day of the year.  Two of her classes were canceled and unbeknownst to us she called Continental and booked the last seat on an earlier flight.  To complete the surprise she called a friend to pick her up at the airport.  When Mama and I came home from a most successful shopping trip, Julia had just arrived.  There's so much to be thankful for including the lovely surprise of several more holiday hours with Julia.

Thanksgiving Has Begun

I love Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for including family, friends, faith, health, career and volunteering.  Though I express gratitude for my blessings every day, it is wonderful to have a holiday focused on thankfulness.

We've been eagerly anticipating a long weekend filled with love and laughter. Mama and Daddy have arrived and Julia comes in this evening.  The fun has already begun.

Celebrate Everything!

Our family loves to celebrate.  This motivated me to design and create a multi-faceted counted cross stitch project for Julia. 

Under One Roof

It is always exciting when our family is together, even if it is briefly.  Julia's flight arrived in the wee hours just in time to be among the first to wish Edgar a very happy birthday.  Gar's flight is scheduled to depart less than 36 hours later.  The clock is ticking so I'm anxious for everyone to rise and shine.  Short windows of opportunity remind us to seize and treasure special moments.

Games of Life

My family has been playing card games all my life.  We began with Go Fish and War and progressed to  Rook, Hearts and Spades.  When Edgar joined the family, he became part of the ongoing friendly, spirited competitions.  Mama and Edgar perpetually challenge Daddy and me to claim bragging rights for any particular visit.  Selective perception and a bit of psyche colors the reality of winner's records.  It's been fun to have Julia and Gar sub for any given player to keep the team competition alive, but inclusive. 

Just as Edgar and I have forged additional long-standing competitions with friends, it's been fun to see Julia and Gar enthusiastically engage and challenge their friends.

These card games provide fun, laughter, challenge and bragging rights.  Everyone starts the game anticipating victory.  Because it's prime time together, everyone wins the card games of life.

Miles Away and Ever Present

Edgar, Gar and I just made the 550 mile trek to Arkansas for another delightful visit with my parents.  We've made the trip ever so many times.  This time Julia's summer internship in NYC precluded her inclusion in our annual summer excursion.  While on the road, we called to see what she was doing and let her know how much she was missed.  Last night, as I set the table for dinner, I instinctively filled six glasses.  As Mama reminded me that there were only five of us, we called to let her know dinner was ready.  Though she's not enjoying all the love, laughter, sights, sounds and tastes, precious Julia is very much a part of our latest adventure.  She's miles away, but ever present.

Swimming into Summer

Though the calendar indicates that summer begins in several weeks, my summer began this weekend with my first plunge into the pool.  My assessment is that cold water is only for drinking, so I always wait until we've had several days of warm temperatures before braving the chilly water. 

I love the pool. 

• It's a magnetic gathering place for fun with family and friends.
• Swimming is exercise that I can enthusiastically embrace. 
• The water washes away stress.
• Everyone's playful side emerges.

Road Trips

Our family has spent many days traveling to and from Arkansas and Port Mansfield. I've heard of families who treat road trips as adventures - stopping as they spot anything interesting, to explore. Not us! The only stops allowed are for food, fuel and facilities. And it's expected that the needs coincide for quick execution in a town where all are available - thankfully, not at a single destination. Our only road trip adventures are inside the vehicle - videos, books and games. When the children were young these trips were journeys, punctuated with frequent stops for food and facilities. As everyone has matured, we now sometimes have to prompt our excellent, focused driver that food is required at least once during a 9-hour excursion. Our trips, though clearly destination oriented are journeys that have yielded a lifetime of wonderful family adventures.

That's Entertaining!

We've reached a wonderful new milestone in our family dynamics. For 20 years, we, as parents, have planned and executed fun, meaningful, interesting, educational and diverse family outings. We've woven a rich tapestry of food, travel, culture and entertainment to create a lifetime of spectacular memories. Tonight, we were the beneficiaries of our precious daughter planning a unique evening taking advantage of one of Houston's special free arts offerings. Since Miller Outdoor Theatre's performance didn't begin until 8:30, the temperature was most pleasant. Embracing live outdoor theatre, a yummy picnic dinner, terrific people watching and another memorable family evening was a real treat. Passing the planning torch was priceless. Way to go angel!