Is anyone else out there wondering, where did the summer go? I've got I-want-summer-to-stay syndrome...badly.
So
far this August, I've tried to squeeze in the state fair, the Bristol
Renaissance Faire, and a whirl-wind trip to Door County, WI before my
daughter goes back to college and my son back to school. Oh and guess
what, tomorrow the world's largest Celtic Festival, Irish Fest, begins
at the Milwaukee Summerfest grounds! Yeah!!!
My family and I look
forward to Irish Fest all year. We are in the parade, daily. We usually
sponsor a team for the run/walk for arthritis research the Saturday of
the Fest. This year we're sponsoring two teams: Team East-West
Connection Martial Arts and Wellness studio and Team Macski's Highland
Haggis. So much fun and so much, well, time.
I registered my son
for school today, decided on haggis shirts and logo for the Labor Day
Highland Games, waited for my husband's EKG and blood work results (he's
having out-patient surgery in September) and then had an Oh Shi* moment when I realized, at 2:05pm, that it's the third Wednesday of the month and my day to blog.
So here I am, blogging.
I
really thought when I gave up going to court every day that my days
would be less hectic and I'd get more done. They are. And, I do, for the
most part. And then there's August...sigh. The month where everything
gets squeezed in as we try, or at least I try, to eek out every minute
of family togetherness before my daughter gets all wrapped up in school
and labs and the chaos every bright, overly stressed, college student
experiences.
There's also the desire to live every minute of
daylight August has to offer and enjoy the cooling nights while their
softness lasts. So, friends, my blog today is about that welcome chaos
the end of summer brings. I love this time of year where festivals and
being outside are ends in themselves, where we reap the early harvest
from our gardens or the local farmer's market, where I am reminded more
particularly than any other time of year besides winter break and the
Christmas season, of the importance of being with my family in every
moment.
I've been to Irish Fest every year since it's creation in
1981. First with my parents. Then with my husband and my parents. Then
with my husband, my children and my parents. Sadly, my parents can no
longer negotiate the expansive and crowded grounds, so now it's my
family and me. Some day, in the not so distant future, I will be going
with my husband, our children and our grandchildren. Hopefully by then
we will be living at least part of the year in Argyll and part of the
year in New Mexico. No matter where we end up, for four days every
August I will live with my family at Irish Fest.
Summer is
important for many reasons, but the most important is the added time
with my family. August in particular, because these are the days when
family bonding is clear and immediate. These are the days memories are
not only made, but solidified. It's a time to reap the seeds we've sown
from early days sent enjoying time together. I've enjoyed the early
summer calm and even the late summer chaos. I hope I'll be enjoying that
chaos every August for the rest of my life, with my family around me.
So I raise a proverbial glass to you and whatever makes you revel in joy this August as I say: Slainte! (to your health).
My Scottish Blessing to you: In
every moment of chaos may you be blessed with loving family...may the
chaos flee quickly and the loving remain...may you live every day with a
festival in your heart, music in your soul and a dance in your step.
What does August and the ending of summer bring to you? What summer traditions fill you with quiet pleasure or jolts of joy?
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