Family time, time spent with our family members while on vacation or time spent together can be very restorative. Being able to act like kids by enjoying time together playing games, walking, boating and eating together can bring us to a place of joy and calm. It gives us time to reconnect. It can be time to get reacquainted with the people that know us best. The freedom of being able to share time together but also feeling comfortable spending time apart from the group for some quiet time, just connecting with nature is the gift that family gives us.

We were able to spend a week in Stanwood, Mich at Canadian Lakes in a house. My three sons, my daughter in-law, significant other of son #1 and friend of #3 son were in residence. Down the road were my sister and her family and my brother’s daughter in another house on a connecting lake. We were also blessed to be able to bring our dogs along as well.

The house was on the lake. We could hear the loons on the lake.We enjoyed the sunsets and the stars. We saw an eagle being chased by a black bird, ducks, geese, deer, lots and lots of deer and lots of wonderful wild flowers.

We spent time canoing, kayaking, paddle boating, pontoon boating, biking, hiking, golfing, eating and playing games. We play cribbage. My son and husband played backgammon and taught the game to a few novices. We enjoyed several campfires. The youngest son and friend fished as did my sister’s kids. We did not eat any of the catches.

Our time together with no schedule was such a blessing. Now we are all back to our respective homes, and jobs and schedules, but the sweet memory of that time of timelessness is still with us.

Take some time today to play and get in touch with your inner child by hanging out with your family and get to know them for who they are today.
Blessings, Eileen