Friday, August 24, 2012

Grieving the End of Summer....


For the first time in many years I am GRIEVING the end of this summer. It just doesn't feel like it ever really started.

I left the above comment on a blog and realized I had tears running down my face. Time to stop and spend some quiet time with God. Yes, I'm grieving. The end of summer - yes - but so much more. The end of a season, the end of a loved one's life, the end of a son's childhood (YES THIS ONE IS SWEET TOO), the unexpected loss of "final trips," those days of youth when you take you and your husband's health for granted....I am  not ready for the fall schedule to begin again....with Bible studies, church activities, schools and fall conferences....I want a summer vacation....mostly I need time to rest, to breathe, to feel ready to jump back into my busy life.

I often find myself attempting to be "strong."  Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is to enforce boundaries, to rest, to wait, to be still.  I'm not sure what I'm trying to say - other than I'm not ready for the fall. ::snort:: AND I committed again this morning to take the time I need to grieve well; Not wallowing - but not stuffing.

Michael asked me if I'd hit anger yet. Maybe. I'm not sure. I know I hit denial.  Maybe the tears are about negotiation....maybe that's what I'm doing....or maybe acceptance...who knows...I only know for a time....I will rest, I will sit quietly, I will take things slowly, I will enforce boundaries, I will walk out the priorities my husband and I set.....and that is enough.

No, grieving isn't all I'm doing. God has given me some clear-cut direction, I'm fighting battles He's called me to fight, I'm investing in lives and relationships and running the race with Him.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sea of Japan


Friday is Michael's day off ~ though he usually does not take a day off and typically works all day Saturday. Imagine our surprise when he told us Thursday he wanted to drive to the Sea of Japan today.  We left town with an atlas, a few spots we'd like to find and plenty of snacks and lunch. 

We DID find the Sea of Japan. We didn't make it to any of our other spots....but that's o.k. We think we'll make an overnight camping trip of it in the near future. 


Picnic on a rock out in the Sea of Japan 

Actually USED my 31 cooler.....

Stacia found thrones with steps leading up to them

Have no idea what the sign says, but check out the cool rock formations


This "scenic rocky coast" is full of tide pools which we had fun exploring.....We saw this sign as we walked along. 

We happened upon a strange, walled-off area. While the others explored to figure out what it was....I determined a "sea water pool" must be a pool we could swim in and not a tide pool.  There was no one else in, but it made since to me. I took the photo below from IN the water while the debate continued. 


This little spot in the wall let fresh sea water in and out.....love the sky in the photo above.



The kids enjoyed a dip in the sea water pool...Michael continued to explore... we drove a bit further and realized it was time to head back to Misawa to pick up Arielle and Nolan from their mission trip.

No matter how late you are, one simply can't resist farm fresh watermelon - not pictured....Michael bought the OKI (BIGGEST), I bought one of these green-melon things (which are sort of like a cross between a honey dew and a cantaloupe). The lady gave me a presento and we now have melons, melons, melons coming out of our ears.

Psst....Gotta love a country when a "stretch-and-reach-5-4" type person can be a giant.....and I'm not scowling - I'm concentrating, trying to remember the numbers to know how much I owe. LOL 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...