Sunday, July 21, 2013

Experiencing Michigan Friendship


Last year we stopped by for a quick visit with our Michigan friends. It was magical. Their hospitality, along with the awesomeness of Lake Michigan made us instantly want to return.

Fast forward one year and we visited for a longer 4 day adventure. Since our first visit resulted in our son conjuring up the convincing arguments to get a puppy, this time we brought our 9 month old pup.

In those 4 days we burned stuff, shot stuff, drank stuff, drove stuff, balanced on stuff, explored stuff, and swam in stuff...all together...four adults, one teen, three girl tweens, two boys, and two pups. 

First, some photograhic evidence...

Campfire night and exploring...

Sand dunes...

Beach and lighthouse...

Currie-directed photo moments...

Looking into the future...

Crazy-loved creatures...

Fun exploding things...

Fun shooting things...


4th of July fun...

Creatures in love...

Second, here's what I learned...

We love Michigan…or At Least Michigan with These Friends In It
The woods, sand dunes, lake, fireworks, beer, and outdoorsy life were all awesome. But I wonder if it was that awesome because we had our friends as our guide?

Our Family Is Messy

We leave things around, we are into our 'screens', and with six of us we just take up a lot of space. I know we added some stress to their lives, but they invited us anyway, fed us, provided places to sleep, and were always hospitable. I wasn't even 'aware' of this until we left…I feel bad about how our kids disconnected from theirs and just left stuff around. But I suppose that's just the reality of different cultures…where every single family approaches life differently.

Much In Common, Little In Common
We love that we are quite comfortable talking the second we get there. We love participating in what they do: shooting, swimming, campfires, dune exploring, beach combing, beer tasting, cooking, salsa making, (and on and on). We love how we can talk about music, politics, religion, work, technology, etc, with no concern for fist fights (even the very touchy subject of not liking pale ale…another topic we agree on).

However, now that I'm home I realize that I don't actually do much of any of those things with my kids. Maybe what I don't have in common is the motivation to overcome the effort required to make these things happen at home (which makes me sad).

They mean the world to us
I don't see them much, and don't even really talk to them much outside of a few text chats. However, they hold such a fond place in our hearts…even our kids still talk about how much fun they had and what they loved about our visit. I eventually recognized what they sacrificed to have us there (food, vacation, comfort, peace, …) and am in awe of their friendship…it makes me wonder what they got in return?

I will always be grateful for our Michigan adventures...I miss you guys already.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Talk To Me, Goose


I'm still in the air, but many around me have been hit

So much chaos flying around it's impossible to focus

I'm so thankful I personally didn't get hit

...but I grieve for them

I'm grateful to be in the air

But the shards from those that did get hit are greatly affecting me

I'm spinning so fast I don't know which way is up

Somewhere inside I've got fuel that can propel me forward

But where are the thrusters?

I feel my wingmen are gone…

…some were great leaders who guided me

…some were informal mentors whom I emulated

…and some were peers who I fought-the-good-fight with

Now I feel alone

Spinning…

Lost my direction…my purpose…my peace

Talk to me, Goose…

I'm not asking for an easy ride…

Just a spark to re-ignite my thrusters

Or…

...I could eject…

…and watch all that I'm responsible for in life crumble.

Talk to me, Goose…

I need to engage…help me engage.

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