We are home.  Maybe you didn't know we were gone, but our family has been at the Harris family retreat in Idaho for the past 10 days.  Our time at the cabin was busy and full of people and we have many treasured memories from our time together.  We swam, skied, went wakeboarding (is that a word?)played with babies, ate, drank, sat by the campfire, and laid in the sun.  Most importantly, we did not consult our calendar or attend any appointments.

Angie surprised us by wanting to be in the water every single minute.  After a couple of days I realized why-she was completely free when she was in the water.  Balance and strength ceased to be important and she could move about easily.  Angie "swam", wearing a life jacket, using both arms and she giggled and smiled the entire time.  She repeatedly went under the water and came up smiling and laughing.  I smiled until my face hurt just watching her.  She rode behind the boat on an intertube with the older boys and she squealed with delight.  She was FREE.

We spent our days doing nothing but playing and I could not help thinking how much our lives will change in the next few days-back to school and work and each of us bound by our own schedule.  In a way I am glad that I am able to recognize the importance of our yearly tradition.  I need to remember what a gift these days have been to our family.

Now we are back and we will spend the weekend preparing for the next chapter.  One child is entering high school and playing football for the first time ever.  Another child is seeking answers to ongoing health concerns.  One child is happier than she has ever been and is basking in the reality of what it really means to be content.  And two children, with unique and varying needs, will be repeating the grade level they were in last year.  We do not regret our decisions for either one, and yet there is a grieving process for all of us that comes along with the reality of it.  

I feel that we are ready as we can be to face what is ahead.  Our family has been so blessed to have a huge support system in place.  God has placed people in our lives who love our children and are committed to helping them to succeed.  We do not take them for granted or assume they will be here with us tomorrow.  We are just grateful.  You know who you are.  If you have prayed for us, or said a kind word, you are included.  For today, I have the memories of our yearly retreat to Idaho and the hope that this year will be one of the best ever.