House of Deej
August 19, 2008
Relaxed
Life at the lake was luverly. Sometimes I just wish I could freeze time to hang onto times like this. I have a few bug bites. My arms are a wee bit tingly sore from skiing. I enhanced my sunburn a teeny bit. I ate too many roasted marshmallows. I cannot complain.
The cubs love it there. We've become somewhat of a permanent fixture at this particular family place, and have plans for a couple more weekend visits up to the woods before the snow flies. We may not be able to swim, but it will still be nice. It probably sounds odd, but for the first time in a very very long time, I feel like I am a part of a "family" when I am there. I feel like a part of a whole that I belong to. We've been welcomed with open arms and I am building memories and a wonderful support system for myself and my kids. Am I selfish in feeling this way? I don't know.
I did have to have a talk with the cubs on the way home. I'm not exactly in the same income bracket as several of the relatives we spend time with there. It's not apparent when we are all just hanging out in the cabins and bunk house. Those are simple little lake places. One of the boy cousins is the same age as the cubs. He's a great little guy, and the three kids get along famously. Yet, their eyes glaze over with a rather emerald shade of green when his stepfather shows up in a float plane to pick him up.
The cubs and I talked about how each of us have things that others covet; that's simply life. This boy may have a much larger house, a lot more toys, and a plane, but there are things that the cubs have that he does not. It's not about material things - it's about the little things. This little dude has a mom, dad, and two steps that all love him dearly, but they do not have the time or desire to curl up and watch movies with him. He craves attention; he follows me around like a little puppy. I may not be able to provide a plane, but I can give my kids an awful lot in other ways. I hope they realize that.
So, the fish were biting and I caught more than a couple. The water was warm. The moon was full. The fire was glowing. The stars were bright. I felt safe, secure, and loved.
Life doesn't get much better than that.
Peace
The cubs love it there. We've become somewhat of a permanent fixture at this particular family place, and have plans for a couple more weekend visits up to the woods before the snow flies. We may not be able to swim, but it will still be nice. It probably sounds odd, but for the first time in a very very long time, I feel like I am a part of a "family" when I am there. I feel like a part of a whole that I belong to. We've been welcomed with open arms and I am building memories and a wonderful support system for myself and my kids. Am I selfish in feeling this way? I don't know.
I did have to have a talk with the cubs on the way home. I'm not exactly in the same income bracket as several of the relatives we spend time with there. It's not apparent when we are all just hanging out in the cabins and bunk house. Those are simple little lake places. One of the boy cousins is the same age as the cubs. He's a great little guy, and the three kids get along famously. Yet, their eyes glaze over with a rather emerald shade of green when his stepfather shows up in a float plane to pick him up.
The cubs and I talked about how each of us have things that others covet; that's simply life. This boy may have a much larger house, a lot more toys, and a plane, but there are things that the cubs have that he does not. It's not about material things - it's about the little things. This little dude has a mom, dad, and two steps that all love him dearly, but they do not have the time or desire to curl up and watch movies with him. He craves attention; he follows me around like a little puppy. I may not be able to provide a plane, but I can give my kids an awful lot in other ways. I hope they realize that.
So, the fish were biting and I caught more than a couple. The water was warm. The moon was full. The fire was glowing. The stars were bright. I felt safe, secure, and loved.
Life doesn't get much better than that.
Peace
posted by DeeJay at 06:45
12 Comments:
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I spent the better part of my summers growing up at various lakes and campgrounds, usually surrounded by extended family or friends that were just like family, nothing like it :D
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Awesomeness.
:)
xoxo
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The majority of our vacations were spent camping and around lakes. That was all we could afford when my boys were growing up. But, I wouldn't trade those vacations for anything!
When we moved to our new town, as my older son was going into 6th grade, it was like entering another universe. My boys would come home asking for $20.00 to keep in their pockets for school to buy whatever. I was like, HUH? I don't think so...
When they got into high school, all the kids drove Mercedes, huge brand new trucks, BMWs, etc. My boys drove a used Taurus, haha. They survived and it didn't seem to hurt their popularity any.
You're doing a good job teaching your kids that there are more important things than money.
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Sounds idyllic (apart from the bug-bites).
The problem with kids is, when they've got all of that love and attention, they don't realise how lucky they are. They just think I want a plane! It's only when they don't have it and see other kids who do that they see the value of it.
Otherwise, you'll just have to wait till they're older and start to reminisce.
Kids are dumb (though I too want a plane!).
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Me, my brother, mom and dad usually went for two weeks to the sunny country that is called Spain.
Also for ten days i went on camp with the youth movement i was with. Always a plaesant time of playing and being creative.
Maybe your cubs dont realise the attention thing for full right now but when they will be older they will love you with their entire heart for it.
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We spent some of our summers horse ranching. Honest food cooked early in the morning or evening over open flames, saddle your own horse, curry and muck your own, etc.
no planes--fishing and ghost stories over toasted marshmallows-- yea, idyllic really.
kids with money didn't stand out from the rest/ there was no competition except in the final rodeo ring.
Taught us that values last forever and toys get broken or replaced.
Your cubs are gonna get it.
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My parents didn't have a lot of money, but they did manage to have a cabin, with a speed boat and snowmobiles and always a new car. My freinds would tell me they wished they had all that stuff. I would look at how close they where with their parents and siblings and wish I had that instead.
I guess kids are always wanting what some one else has. Yours will thank you when they get older.
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My kids always had what they needed, a few extras, but they were never spoiled. They learned to appreciate the things in life so much more than their friends who did have "everthing". They also learned to work for the things they need and to be self-sufficient. Except of course for the occasional, "Mom can I borrow $50?"...lol But those are starting to get fewer and farther inbetween, thank god. You are teaching your kids the right way Deejay. And that place you go to sounds wonderful:)
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Sarai - Uh huh; I really am finding I love this. I just "belong"; it's a feeling I've not had in a very long time.
Cherry - I wish I could bottle up all those warm, fuzzy feelings and keep them surrounding me all the time!
Laurie - LOL My kids are never going to be driving a BMW to school either! Fortunately, most of their friends are in similar income brackets to my own. I am hoping to avoid the plane conversation in that respect!
Bebbs - Yeah, I would love a plane too. It's just not in my budget. *ponders a radio-controlled one* Truly, I do think my kids realize they are lucky; it's just that "things" sometimes look awful damn cool!
Logis - They do appreciate it most of the time. They are always telling me about kids they know that have parents that never cook meals and stuff like that. That plane was way cool though!
Etainne - My youngest cub would totally get off on your type of adventure! She wants a horse in the worst way. I don't know the first thing about them though; it's just not going to happen for her. Maybe when she gets older. I do have to say, your trips sounded amazing!
LMC - I think that many of us as adults tend to want things that others have. I know I am guilty of that myself from time to time. I have to remind myself that I actually have it pretty good and am lucky with my life. : )
Lisa - That place is wonderful! It's not as gorgeous as the mountains Ben visits and blogs about; but it is my little part of heaven and I cherish it greatly!
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They will get over those material stuff worshipping eventually, Deejs. Probably when they get their first paycheck and wonder how the hell they will get thru the month. :-)
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That's how it is. We didn't have much money while our kids were growing up. No country home; just an occasional visit to the park. Just one car; they had to borrow and take care. But they were happy kids, and they have become happy adults. Love is the key ingredient.
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Logis - Overall, I think they are great kids that really don't worship material things like that. It was just one of those "holy shit, they have a plane" kind of things. We have several friends with planes, but they don't tend to use them for just running to pick up a kid. LOL
Dr.Dog - It most certainly is and we're really close - the cubs and me. I keep doing things with them that I hope build those memories that will last them forever.
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