We’re actually down to our last two weeks of summer, if you can believe it. My kids are on a modified year-round schedule, and so they start school the first week of August.
Because of a combination of events–my husband’s busy job, my daughter’s five weeks at a ballet intensive, etc.–we actually haven’t been able to get away as a family for a vacation, but that’s not to say that we’ve been stuck at home all summer.
Just a few weeks ago, we headed down to Nashville to get our rental house ready for our new tenants. After a few busy, hot days of work, we were able to head up to Clarksville, home of Ft. Campbell. Because we were stationed there for nine years (and both of our children were born there), visiting Clarksville is always like coming home.
We got to eat lunch with one of my dearest friends, Becky.
The real purpose for our visit was to celebrate the retirement of two dear friends, Brett and Sal. My husband has known them and flown with them for years, and Sal’s wife Andrea is one of my dearest friends. I told you we’ve had a lot of retirements this summer! (see the other one here)
I showed this bracelet on Facebook, but this was the first time I’d seen Andrea since Sunny dog died {his story is here}, and she gave me this sweet bracelet in his memory. I wear it every day.
At the guys’ retirement party, Carolyn, Andrea and I were reunited. They’re two of my “bestest” friends (they even came to my house to oversee things when Better Homes & Gardens was doing the photo shoot of my kitchen the very same week we had tickets to Disney–see that here). Because our husbands have been assigned here, there, and everywhere since our years together in Tennessee, it’s hard to get us together for a picture.
We recreated our “meeting in the ladies’ room” photo from 2012, just for fun.
| Palazzo pants |
Here’s the 2012 version:
The nicest part is that Carolyn’s family just moved to North Carolina, so we’re neighbors again. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me!
••••••
Then, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, last month I took a quick trip to Pennsylvania with my cousin Stephanie for our aunt’s funeral. When I say quick, I mean quick. Steph flew into Raleigh, and I picked her up and we drove ten hours to DuBois, Pennsylvania, slept, attended the funeral, took our uncle to lunch, and then drove ten hours back to Raleigh, where I put her on a plane back to Atlanta.
Since I’m an only child, Steph is the closest thing I have to a sister (read her amazing story here). Our moms were sisters; mine died in 2002 (her story is here) and Steph’s died last January.
This is going to sound strange, but I know you’ll understand–we enjoyed our road trip together so much. Of course, we were so sad to have to say goodbye to another wonderful woman, but the uninterrupted time in the car was precious and it’s increasingly rare as our kids get older and busier.
In the morning, before Aunt Jeanie’s funeral, we went to the tiny country cemetery where both of our moms are buried. We took a bottle of Prosecco and orange juice to toast our amazing mothers and the lasting legacy they created.
Because laughter has always carried us through life’s darkest times–death, cancer, heart transplants, you name it–we decided to call it “Mimosas with Mom.”
As I thought back over my summer, even though we didn’t manage to sneak away to the beach for a week, we’ve made memories with friends and family, marking the bittersweet milestones of life together. I can’t think of a better way to spend the precious minutes and days of life, can you?
Thanks for stopping by.
I read your post about your cousin.. I have tears in my eyes right now. She is beautiful,you guys resemble each other . Being an only child myself i have cousins that I am very close to.
Our lives get so busy we sometimes forget to stop and smell the roses and enjoy friends and family. This summer my hubby and I have gone to Kure Beach,, had friends and family over. And just relaxed on weekends. School starts back the end of August here in Greensboro NC. I’m getting a little sad..lol
Enjoy your weekend!
Rebecca–
Thanks so much for your kind words about Stephanie. She really is like a sister to me, as you understand being an only child yourself. Those cousins are so important!
Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful summer–I’m a little jealous! Kure Beach is just beautiful. 🙂
Take care,
Christy
Christy, I love reading about your trips and the visits with dear friends and family. I really love the “mimosas with Mom” ~ brilliant idea! All of the photos are beautiful, as well as all the ladies! Perhaps your kids were counting on a “real” vacation, however, I think the time spent with special friends and family is so important.
I can’t believe your school begins so early! There are many different schedules with schools these days and it’s difficult to keep up. I hope you have a fun and blessed Sunday!
xo
Pat
Thanks so much, Pat. I’m glad you like hearing about all my trips and tidbits, because I’m not doing a very good job of decorating lately! 🙂
XO,
Christy
Loved reading about all of your news…happy that your friend will be moving close to You!…and how great it was that you and your cousin were able to be together to spend many hours together and to celebrate your Mother(s) lives….I am sure they were sitting beside you two taking in the love you have for them.
christie, my family lost our dad almost 2 yrs ago this december, we lost our mother way back in 1966. I can really connect with your “mimosas with moms” my oldest sister, when she is able to come back home always has the whole family, or those that can make it go out to the cemetery and have a drink with both our parents! Most of the time she introduces moms drink of choice which to me is awful, but we always drink a small drink and salute both parents! I love going to the cemetery, it is always so peaceful. call me weird, but it is almost like there is a connection with my parents when my husband and I go out there! thanks for sharing!
Dorothy–
Thanks for telling me that you have a similar tradition in your family, and how lovely that your whole family gets together out there to remember and “visit” your parents! I love it out there, too, and find it very peaceful and comforting. I’m sorry you’ve lost your parents but do love how you keep their memory alive.
Take care,
Christy