“Life is truly lived in the moments of simplicity!” ―
Readers have been sharing with me some of the favorite summers. Summer is such a special time of amazing vacations, summer camps, times at the pool or beach, and so much more. But sometimes we take a deep breath and remember times that might not be considered exciting or unique but that make memories because it’s time shared with those we loved. In this era of electronics where we often have a computer via a phone in our hands to entertain us with games and communication with those near and far, we sometimes forget to unplug and just enjoy the presence of the person beside us. That’s what these three readers told me.
First Nancy talks about a time with her granddaughter when they were unplugged and just enjoying the simple pleasure of talking to each other.
Nancy – “This is so simple…..YOU may not think it the best!!! But, I do. My granddaughter was with us for a few days (she is 12). I am so saddened by all the Ipads, phones, TV, etc. etc. stealing time away from precious relationships. So, my granddaughter & I sat on our deck; on the swing eating watermelon. I said, “K, we are going to have a simple summer.” And we did. We talked, we laughed, we expressed ideas, we looked at each other; we smiled…..and that turned out to be the best summer. Our lives were entwined in our relationship between Nana & granddaughter. I never had so much joy & contentment as our “simple summer” defined our time together. It will be etched in our memories…………..forever!!! (and yes, we did take her to the pool…..just saying).
Darci had a similar experience but in a different setting.
Darci – “Best summer was a summer where i spent two weeks camping and hiking with my youngest son we were unplugged and had to rely on face to face communication, sitting together around the fire and chatting instead of so much technology interference, it was wonderful to get a glimpse at the person my son was growing up to be.”
And last, Jean goes back in time before all those electronics to remember special times with her mother.
Jean – “As I think of summer memories, my favorite is an evening walk with my mother. After supper and with dishes soaking in the sink, she and I would walk up the driveway to the barn and back to the house and we would talk (not every evening, but enough). We did this throughout my childhood and teen years. I don’t know where my two brothers and sister were or what we really talked about, but those special moments together are precious memories. Even today at that time of dusk, tears will come to my eyes as I think about those times. In today’s world, the professionals would say this was quality time between a mother and the oldest daughter and I would say it was treasured time.”
My newsletter giveaway is ongoing. Deadline to enter is August 6, 2019 at midnight EST. If you didn’t get the newsletter and would like to enter, just leave a comment here that you would like me to throw your name in my giveaway hat. You do have to be at least 18 years old to enter. Three winners will receive a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card plus their choice of one of my books. I’m giving the B&N cards because that store is featuring The Refuge along with other inspirational novels in their Uplifting Summer Reading promo. You can find The Refuge and other great books for half price at the Barnes & Noble stores or online.
The picture is from a simple breakfast time with my son and his son. Always fun to sit around the table and talk.
Do you have treasured moments you remember with those you love?
Comments 13
Hello Ann,
I’ve been busy with the epic sale going on along the Hwy 127 yard sale this week. So I just found the time to read this post. I wanted to share this with you, as a summer to be remembered story. It’s not about being “unplugged” but I was indeed mostly electronic-free in the “no cell service town” of tiny Glencoe. You can read the whole story on my facebook page, but in a nutshell…
I found a beautiful porcelain doll today that used to belong to my grandmother. She collected dolls but when she moved into a full time healthcare facility in 2006 she distributed her treasures among the family. I’m not completely sure who received this particular doll at that time, but I found it in a sales booth today, along with a photo proving my grandmother purchased it. What’s really amazing is the dolls name on the certificate is Hannah. Hannah Grace (lover of your Angel Sister book) is my oldest granddaughter, and my grandmother’s oldest great-great granddaughter. My Mamaw would be tickled pink to know “Hannah” will be with Hannah someday.
So…this summer will be remembered as a true treasure!
I’m loving all these stories! Thank you for letting us share. a blessed Sunday!
How special!!! Got a message that my post was too short. 🙄 What were the chances that you would find your Grandmother’s doll!
Author
That is an amazing yard sale story, Lavon. If I put that in a book, some readers might not believe it, but it might make a touching scene. So fun that Hannah Grace will have her great grandmother’s doll named Hannah. That is surely one of those things that was meant to happen. A treasure for sure. I’ll have to check out the whole story on your FB page. Thanks for sharing that with us.
Some of my favorite summer time memories were of riding in the back of the pickup flat on my back and trying to determine just where we were by only the motion of the truck,and the treetops bordering the sky. At night, the outline of them looked like Spanish lace again the star strewn heavens. My favorite time of day was twilight when all work was done and we sat out on the porch and watched as shadows slipped over the hill down into the valley. The fragrance of flowers, the cool shade of two massive maples and the comfort of evening talk among family inspired me to write my first poem about Kentucky at age twelve.
Author
The memories of a poet, Sandi. Loved your description of watching the sky and trees from your spot lying in the truck bed. Most of us were riding sitting on the wheel wells or standing up behind the cab to feel the wind in our faces. But that’s what makes you a poet. Seeing things in a new and different way. As I read your words I was right there on the porch hearing the murmur of the family talking. Thanks for sharing your words with us.
Handsome son and beautiful grandson!!! Your son favors you, Ann. 😊
Sometimes we think we are the only ones affected by the world of electronics, but after reading the comments from your readers it seems to be a sad state of affairs for all of us with children and grandchildren! So sad! 😢
Author
Many families make it a priority to limit screen time, but it has to be difficult for them with the siren call of the electronic games. I had grandchildren visiting me this week and we had a good time going to the creek and playing cards and board games and badminton. So good to do things besides electronics although a couple of the boys do like their games on their devices. But the kids do miss that sitting and listening to the adults talk. Of course, I’ve seen plenty of adults glued to their phones too.
I remember and treasure playing ball as a family, croquet, badminton…..helping mama can….making snow ice cream, playing games and mama making popcorn and peanut butter candy, etc
Thank you for adding my name to the hat.
Author
We do remember those days while we were growing up with fondness, don’t we, Lucy? For a summer when I was maybe twelve, we kept a badminton net set up in the yard. Such fun. And because that made such great memories for me, I keep one set up in the yard for the grandkids. Who cares about grass? I love making memories of playing badminton in the evening hours with them. But I also did that helping mama can and eating popcorn and chocolate candy we made. We worked since after all, we did live on a farm, but those were good days of fun too.
Some of my favorite summer memories from childhood are the city family visiting the rural farm family during the summer. My parents had moved to a big city for my father’s work, and during the summer sometimes we would drive the long distance to Michigan to visit my grandparents, aunts, and uncles. I loved the barn cats, feeding the cows, watching them be milked, riding on the tractor, walking among the corn fields, etc. That was an education for me because I would not have been familiar with farm or rural life if not for those trips. The meals were hearty and delicious, and the fellowship among the large groups at the table was lively and interesting.
Author
I was the country family when my cousins came to visit. And now I’m the country family for my grandkids, Suzanne. But we don’t have barn cats for them to enjoy. I did love the barn cats when I was a kid. We liked searching for the new litters in the hay loft. We also had baby lambs we fed with a battle after the mama sheep had rejected them for some unknown reason. So glad I was the country cousin.
My granddaughter and I would sit for hours and talk about everything. We would plan our next trip. We loved going to Women’s Christian Conferences! Being blind, she always loved meeting the guests personally, and they were always so sweet to her. She loved them all. We lost Brittany last weekend but she had a wonderful full life. God bless all for being so kind to a sweet young lady!
Author
I saw on Facebook that you’d lost your granddaughter. I’m so sorry and have been thinking about you. Brittany sounds like a charming girl and a loving granddaughter. I’m glad you two had good times together and do hope those precious memories will be a comfort to you in the days ahead.