The family is getting older faster than I like to admit, and between our schedules of work, activities, homework, school, life in general, and being plugged in all the time, it's far too easy to slip into a routine of disconnect between each other.
It shouldn't take an unexpected cancer diagnosis in the family to wake you up, but it did. When 1 loved one battles something like that, the whole family wakes up fast. So for Christmas, instead of more "stuff" around the house, the gift of time together was given. Time together with cousins and uncles and aunts, with kayaks and fishing poles - and a rope swing! A firepit at night to gather around, and stories to share as more are made together.
My kids caught their first fish off this dock, together with their cousins, and their uncle getting it off the hook for them. A year prior I had watched my sister in law start chemo & radiation as her husband and kids kept brave faces all year with the strength I hope others never have to know. This trip, I watched her climb a tree to grab the rope swing, fearlessly jumping and splashing with joy as her boys looked on and joined in.
We also loved heading over to the pool where my daughter's swimming really took off. We didn't have to go anywhere, with the fully stocked kitchen and groceries we brought as we dined together on the patio set overlooking the lake. The grill is perfect for summer meals.
My whole family left that lake house with memories of a lifetime. Time passes by sifting through our fingers. Making the time, and investing in each other for to freeze time for a few days at this charming lake house was everything. My son has already asked me to book again this year!