summer

Today is the first official day of summer for me! I have two months off from my teaching job, and as usual, I have a long list of summer projects that I have been putting off until the summer when I have more time to do them.  This is actually the first summer that I am not moving since my freshman year of college.  So, I have high hopes of getting lots of things accomplished this summer!  Beyond my "to do" list and more importantly, I plan to take some much needed Sabbaths- extended periods of time (up to an entire day) that are not simply relaxing, but bring a  restoring and renewing quality to my soul and my mind.  For me, this will require me to get out of Manhattan, so I plan to do some day trips up the Hudson river and maybe even take the LIRR out to Long Island a few times.  I also desperately want to continue my daily routines of connecting with God- but I know this will be much harder,  since my life this summer will not have a regular rhythm and pattern.  But I realize more than ever before how much I need those daily "spaces" with God- and so whatever I'm doing this summer, I need and want to be carving out that much needed space to spend with Him.   

 

grandaddy

Grandaddy died one week ago today.  In honor of his life, here are some of my cherished memories I have of my grandfather. 

-riding in the wagon with him pulling us with his riding lawn mower

- taking us to the driving range to hit golf balls

- showing us how to shoot a BB gun

- remembering little details of my life (which is pretty impressive considering he had 15 grandchildren)

- his famous barbeque chicken 

- his golfing hat and teal-colored pants 

and the final memory I have is watching a group of marines perform a 21 gun salute at my grandfather's grave site to honor his 30 year service in the marine corps.