Summer Update

Here’s this week’s reflection. I hope it resonates with you and ask that, if you enjoyed, please comment and share on your social media. Heartfelt thanks for all your support!

Keeping the light on for you,

Carol

Hi there! You’ve likely been wondering where I’ve been or if I am still writing. Yes, I’m still here. Autumn is on summer’s heels, at least in these parts. The warm months here have been a season of connection. In that vein, it’s high time I connected with you all!

With both daughters around for lots of coffee runs and kid time, I’ve been constantly entertained and energized, (or horrified) by their current vernacular (thank you, Urban Dictionary and YouTube “influencers”). And, since I’m aging, I like to stay current, in a hip sort of way, on the best (UNraunchy) things to toss into convos over coffee or wine. 

Speaking of wine, I’ve had the distinct privilege of belonging to two – count ‘em TWO – Wine Squads. One is composed of us moms with daughters the same age who plowed through school together. We’ve swapped stories of parental angst about almost everything, in chronological order from first menstruations to grand-baby buns in the ovens. My second wine squad is a street posse, having decided to regularly meet (very) shortly after experiencing a death together. Call it a support group, covert book club, or plain old hen party, these wonderful, seasoned gals continually demonstrate luminous perspectives on how to age well. These women never cease to inspire me with their insight, resilience, grace, and humor. And let’s just say they can keep up with the yung’uns when it comes to enjoying the fruit of the vine.

Both wine squads offer the ride-or-die camaraderie of women committed to preserving the art of sisterhood. These groups are pure Vegas – what happens there stays there. The stories, the antics, all of it. And I love and accept all these ladies unconditionally, and they me – a precious gift in uncertain times.

This summer, the hubster has reconnected with HAM radio – a passion of his (and his dad’s) from years ago when they could catch up for free between an Illinois college and home state of Florida –back when toll calls, not data plans, were a very real cash suck. Our (FRONT) yard now sports a “nearly invisible” black antenna wire draped some twenty feet high among a few tall trees.  I was skeptical when my honey first broached this “temporary arrangement”  –not exactly my idea of yard art. But I love him, it makes him happy, the wire mostly blends in and offers a variety of far-flung locations to connect and chat with. In addition, the neighbor’s TV doesn’t get wonky when my husband transmits – an annoying little side effect in our previous home.

Along with connection, this summer has also been the season of LOVE. Typical of nicer weather, we’ve a few outdoor weddings to attend, one of which I have been asked to officiate. I was incredibly surprised and honored when asked if I would marry a nephew and his bride-to-be. My Type A demeanor immediately pulled me up short, citing my mail-order ordination not on par with, say, a properly credentialed man or woman of the cloth. But the couple had indeed wanted little old me to help them tie the knot. So, I stood up straight and forged ahead, silenced the mental naysaying, and started writing. I’ve been blessed with a great marriage and now it’s my turns to officially offer some advice.

Finally, I turned 61 during these warm days. I’m wrapping my head around having already been on this planet roughly two-thirds of my life, –and not the other way round as it had seemed for so many years. It’s been a great gig so far and I certainly want the party to continue another full third with laughter and aplomb. I think a lot about legacy – what I’ve done and what I still want to achieve; what my God-given talents are and how best to share and enjoy them. I’m still a work in progress in many areas, feeling ever young yet also hearing a crescendoing ticking clock. It’s been a time of reflection and transition. But I’m grateful for seriously fun friends and family, both older and younger, who keep me turned toward the sun; warm, shining threads in the blanket of our existence that add spark and substance when times get tough. My hope for the coming years is to offer a few sparklers of my own atop what’s been a generously frosted cake of life. 

I hope the remainder of your summer is full of fun, connection, reflection, and warmth! Give me a shout in the comment section below and let me know how YOU, dear readers, are doing, and the legacies you hope to instill in coming generations. 

Till next time …..