choreographed & carefree
June 15, 2013 § 6 Comments
Our first days of summer were a happy distraction of dinners, play dates, and dance overlapping in joyful festivity. This week the exuberance of these gatherings collided into empty calendar days stretched between penciled in plans.
My children take joy in carefree moments; lazy mornings and late evenings. Left to their own devices the minutes would pass unmarked by agenda. Still, at day’s end, they look to me with questioning uncertainty. Beneath masks of indifference I see the tell-tale signs of restlessness that begs a task or companion to contradict the independent stillness of solitary endeavors.
Acknowledging the fleeting experience of childhood summers I pledged to guard days of discovery alongside moments of rest. Not one to commit entire days to overly orchestrated plans I crafted a wish list of summer memories. Moments to share as a family that would sustain our spirits come fall’s routines; indoor, outdoor, inexpensive but often priceless summer traditions to punctuate the quiet. Then I scribbled my list of ideas into a promise, a contract etched into the chalkboard door tucked in the corner of our kitchen. Memories to gather like coins in a jar.
The past few days the words have tumbled from promise into action. One moment my daughter is bent over a concrete canvas, chalk confetti gathered around her form. The next, we linger over colorful treasures of produce and art at a local farmer’s market. Friends in tow or all alone we explore beneath the sun then curl into the shade with a book. This is my hope for the days of summer: nothingness and busyness in balance with self and others.
scribblechic 
Such a magical time to spend with your children. Our summer bucket list has begun as well…. ahhhhhh…… š
The older my children get, the more mindful I am of how fleeting these long summer days truly are. Wishing you and your family your own sprinkling of magic.
Ahhhhh, summer! The joy of carefree moments is to be appreciated and savoured, so glad you are doing so. Enjoy every moment!
Just so long as there is enough direction to chart our course, I am happy to stray from productivity and rest a while.
I purposely didn’t plan much for this summer because I was excited about the idea of uncharted, easy days and carefree evenings. For the most part, it’s worked beautifully. We have just enough scheduled to serve as markers for our summer, allowing the days to unfold as they will. It’s been a surprisingly exhausting summer in the best way possible.
I’m so glad. I think there are seasons of childhood when nothing is everything.