It's always hard
to say good-bye.
Those of you who
have read P and H for
a while, know that
I generally fall prey to
the blues when I
say good-bye to my
parents and fly home...
For a while.
I have to talk myself
UP ~
count my blessings
smile at our summer memories
look forward to future visits
One of those UP thoughts
that often recurs is the one
about families living far, far
apart from one another
in the old days, before
trains
planes
cars;
before telephones
or even reliable mail service.
In other words,
it could be much worse.
In other words,
it could be much worse.
So it seemed fitting
that on our last night
in Washington State
the five of us
{me, kids, Mom and Dad}
got to step back in time
for one glorious evening.
Three things that I love
intersected and swept my
blues away for a few hours.
History,
vintage
and baseball!
Seriously, as we sat under
huge trees, picnicking and
cheering on vintage baseball
teams at historic Fort Vancouver,
it was like being a
it was like being a
time
traveler.
See what I mean?
Imagine being a young solider
or a military wife in the 1860's....
Far, far away from family,
friends and all that you'd
known and grown up with.
Imagine the time it would
take, if it was even possible,
to go home, again.
Imagine how much you
would have to pack
for such a journey.
for such a journey.
Imagine doing the laundry
when you got back home!
{And the time and the
method to wash it.}
{And the time and the
method to wash it.}
Gosh, I'm feeling better,
already.
If you could step back in
time, when would it be?
I'd love to know.
counting my blessings
and running lots and lots
and lots of laundry : )
Have a wonderful week!
xx
Suzanne
41 comments:
What a lovely way to spend a day! I love the photo of the kids with your parents! I am always sad when I leave my parents, too...it does feel so far away...but I remind myself its three hours away by plane, and I can call or email whenever I like! But we love them, so we miss them! XO
Oh Suzanne... Left my 86 yr old Mom and the rest of my family yesterday and we're heading home - what a timely post from you. Thanks!
Jan
First of all I have to say I love Mindy Gledhill. I loved this post Suzanne. I think I would have loved to have been an adult in the 1950's, a child in the early 1900's but I am glad that I was born when I was because if I wasn't I'd probably be dead by now. I am so very grateful for the blessings we have today of instant communication. Living some 2000 plus miles away from ALL of my family this means that I am never more than a few seconds away from speaking to one of them, or even seeing one of them via web cam. another lovely post! xxoo
Parting is such sweet sorrow! You do it well. xo Jenny
Welcome home, dearest. We are glad you are back on our side of the world, and share your sadness at those pesky goodbyes. I bet your parents were sad to see you go, too.
Happy blessing counting and modern laundry.
Fondly,
Glenda
I absolutely LOATHE goodbyes. I feel so sad when loved ones have to go. I'll be thinking of you today, suzanne. Big huge hug to you, my sweet friend,
Sarahxx
Oh Suzanne it must have been hard saying your farewells after such a lovely holiday. But you're so right - we take the ability to travel and communicate so easily for granted now. I think because it is so easy to pick up the phone or email, sometimes we forget to do it as well or as often as we should! Hope the laundry isn't overburdening you! (The ironing would be my undoing!)
I'm with you--I think we're in "the best of times." Granted we have tons of problems and our lives are way too hectic, but we've got it pretty darn good, compared to the past. Your evening out looks lovely and you and your camera recorded it beautifully (another modern convenience!) Enjoy "having" your automatic washer and dryer!
Best,
Susan
It is so precious, the bond the women in your family have!
Ah, baseball, we were thrilled we were able to fit in a game while we visited the US :) Yours looks delightful XOL
Oh Suzanne, we are all saying GOODBYE to someone, something this season. I start school actually, next Monday. A whole week of planning before the big SHOW returns. But goodbyes often mean hellos on the other end of the spectrum and I pray that we will all learn and enjoy from that transition....blessings to you, Anita
i've heard about those vintage ball leagues but have never seen photos. how neat is that. i don't know if i would want to step back in time. i kind of like all of our conveniences.
What a super time, wonderful photos. I ADORE history, but you know what? I'm quite happy in the time slot I'm in, thank you very much. Women's rights, comfortable clothing, ease of cleaning and travelling, health care, communication - I wouldn't trade that for any other era.
That's such a lovely photo of your children with your parents. So happy!
xx
So MUCH fun!
It makes me giggle to see the clothing of the times, but it also makes me grateful, because with temperatures as hot as these I can't imagine wearing all that now a days!
Hmm...when would I go back in time?
I think the 50s would be fun, back when my grandparents were teenagers and times were changing!
The fashion was making a big change as was the music!
Hope you have a Blessed Day!
Biz
How fun! I have to say I've never stepped back in time like that. I love the idea of slower days, time to appreciate all the pleasures in life, connecting with people, no cell phones or internet to distract us. Although, I am happy for today's conveniences of front-load laundry, microwaves and tv.
It's always hard to say good-bye, isn't it? And being across the world is even harder, with no visit date in sight. xo
I get this. My parents live about 1600 miles away from me, and it makes me so sad. They have no idea. But I have to focus on what's here and now and happy--those blessings are aplenty!
ugh! have fun with that laundry! sorry about those darn goodbyes. they're never fun :(
what a wonderful way to cap off your visit. i understand the blues. too well.
i thought about it, and i can't with confidence choose an era to step back in. but i am a restless soul so i think i'd prefer to step into realm of 100 years from now. i think we're going through a very ignorant phase at least in American culture so i'd like to see what the other enlightened side of that might look like...
thanks for always planting a seed. for stirring our imaginations. it's never lost on me.
best to you as you find cleansing and recovery from post-family-bliss blues.
michele
What a cool thing that is! And I love your pictures of the event! I would definitely choose to be a mom back in the 50's. Stay at home, clean, garden, chat on the sidewalk with the other moms on the block, call the kids in from the street when it's time for dinner ... a much slower pace for our lives. Yup, that is what I would chose.
Sorry you are feeling blue though. You sure have adorable parents! xo
Suzanne, You all chose such a wonderful way to spend that last day. You are headed home with so many great memories. Cherish them. I know you will.
Saying goodbye is so hard.
You are blessed with such a precious family, it must make those times you reconnect that much sweeter.
And hey! I recognize that old water pump!!! ;-)
XO,
Anne
That looks like it would have been SO fun! We were just in the vancouver area...is it something they do often?
I have thought about the separation of family before...can you imagine sending your daughter/son off on the Oregon Trail...might (probably wouldn't) ever see them again :(
so glad you did have the time with your family.
Rene
beautiful picture of your parents and kiddos!:) I feel kind of like that when I have to leave to come home from vacation..praying your feeling more " up " now:) I know it is SO hard to leave parents that you love dearly..
and
I often think of times before technology. I know it is a wonderful tool but just some peace and quiet..:)
xo
Nice family photo.
I also like your words expressing your feelings.
Have a great day!
Cass from Classical Guitar Lessons
That baseball game must have been so much fun...it feels so Little House of the Prairie. Even though the ease of communicating and visiting our loved ones is sooo much easier now days, I think saying good bye is still just as hard...you never know what the future holds.
Big hugs, Tricia :)
Oh my friend...I feel the same way when I have to say goodbye to my parents. They were just visiting with me and it was sad to say goodbye. What fun your images show!
Hugs to you. xoxo
Hello Suzanne~
I would like to go back to the 1950's. Any earlier than that and I would be miserable because there was no AC. I need AC. Also, I loved the family values that still existed in the 50's and thought the cars had so much more character. I liked less people everywhere and remember a slower, more casual, playful existence. I like the dresses women wore then too. I love other time periods too, but there was no AC. I'm spoiled.
Welcome home! xoxo Amy
Okay, so how could I not have noticed how much you look like your beautiful mother? I know it's easy for me to say but you are so blessed. My Mom died when I was 24. You think you're an adult then, and I guess that you are, but not really. If you know what I mean. I've spent the past 20 years being jealous of women who still have their moms. (Yes, I know therapy is in order...) You are SO blessed! And I'm counting my blessings, too, friend! Thanks again for the reminder to do just that. :)
xoxo
Kathleen
i always thought that if i could have a superpower, it would be time travel....i think if i could go back, i would like to see the pioneer time period of the late 1800's. but just for a visit, not to live. i am too spoiled by the conveniences of life to have to live it.!!
hugs, cindy
Suzanne, you probably packed more quality time into that month with your parents than most families who live close to each other do all year! What a fun way to spend your last night! I would like to visit other time periods just for a day....the Jane Austen early 1800s, or the 1920s flappers era perhaps! :)
Suzanne, I so understand. I am so bad at goodbyes. They just seem to rip me apart. But the wonderful thing is that we are blessed with the ease of communication via emails, skype, etc.
I'm certain you have brought home many wonderful memories that will last you a lifetime. And, now you can start planning your next fun get together! You are all such a beautiful family.
XO
I adore your photos and how you shared such an intimite part of yourself again. I love the Mr. Darcy time period. HOWEVER, to live it instead of romance about it might be a completely different thing. LOL
You are so blessed to still have your parents.It's so wonderful that you can spend time together to make the memories that keep us going when apart. Love, Penny
Thank goodness for modern conveniences! I'd probably never had the pleasure of meeting you without them! Looks like you had a wonderful visit.
xo Cathy
As the ancient Chinese curse professes, "may you live in interesting times!"
Of course, a benefit of returning home is reuniting with those to whom you said "good-bye" at the beginning of the journey!
What an awesome experience. Such fun. I'm so glad you had that time before you left. Yes, it is hard to say goodbye. Love your post! Love your pics!
I think I would have been adorable in Jane Austen's day! LOL!
Such a beautiful post of Summer fun Suzanne. Each picture tells such a lovely story as always.
sending hugs...
Your family is so sweet and it had to be terribly difficult to say goodbye. It is hard to say what era I would like to go back in time to. Hygiene is important and people did not not bathe like we do now!
Those goodbyes just never get any easier either. Relating so well with you my friend! xoxo ~Lili
This is a wonderful post -- how I would love to fall into it and be there away from all the stresses that have plagued these weeks. Step back in time -- Well, I adored Midnight in Paris, and I may well have been Owen Wilson's real-life counterpart!
You must miss them terribly, your family. Thinking of you.
Looks like such a great trip! It's always so nice to get to spend time with family. The vintage baseball is so cute!
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
xo E + J
What wonderful Fun!! Nothing better than a day of baseball--fitting to end your time away--
Loved-Loved all the photos-thank you.
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