I'm an employee. I'm someone's supervisor. I'm a daughter, sister and wife. I'm a college student. And I'm a mom. It was during one of my classes as a college student that I was introduced to the musings of Donald Miller, a Christian author. I was drawn to his writings on "living a good story". Essentially, Miller writes that many of us set the same goals over and over again and fail again and again (think back to Jan. 1 of any year) because we fail to recognize that goals get met in the narrative of the story. In his words, "a story gives a goal a narrative context and forces you to engage and follow through" (Miller, 2010).
Fast forward to today. I'm sitting in front of my TV, still in my PJs, make-up smudged from yesterday, thinking about how quickly my kids are growing up. This is something that every parent does (although I understand that really put-together moms who never have smudged make-up do exist ... but I don't know any of them). Instead of wasting away our years together, I want these next 5-8 years to mean something. Anne and Dylan are 9 and 10. Will I still get another 8 years with them? 8 years where I still get to decide what they do, who they hang out with and what's for supper? Probably not, but I'm going to take what I can get and hold it tight and live a great story.
Which brings us to Anne and Dylan's Great Waterfall Adventure. Previously the goal would have been something like this:
1. Spend more quality time with the kids this summer.
2. Get outside more.
3. Get more outside exercise in our very few nice MN months (read "lose a couple pounds).
4. Explore the often overlooked beauty in the nature that is right outside my back door.
Instead, the story has began to unfold. This summer we will discover as many waterfalls as possible. Will it be time well spent? Absolutely. Will it meet the four goals above? Probably. Will I ever get this summer to do over again? Never.
I love it! What a fun idea. Brilliant, I say, brilliant. Starved Rock State Park, in IL is near us and we would join you! We were trying to go this winter after a large snow. It would run and freeze; unfortunately a winter of now snow meant no frozen water falls. They should be running now with all the rain we had!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/starvedrock.shtml
We went in the fall. What was cool about going in the fall when it was so very dry, we could climb up and over all the canyons. Very, very cool. So, if you want a trip that is doable over a long weekend, come here. You could even veer from the waterfall path and enjoy downtown Chicago! Tons of really neat summer things to do. From the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Millenium Park, to museums, to the beach on Lake Michigan, and lots of other stuff.
Add us to your list! We'd love to see you!
Becky, I'm in! I'll message you. Let's set up a long weekend. I think we could be there late some Thursday and head home again on a Sunday. What does your summer schedule look like?
DeleteI meant "no snow", not "now snow".
ReplyDeleteMelynda...LOVE this idea...everyone tells you how quickly the kids grow...keep up on this blog for them...they will love looking back at it...I can't find the time to scrapbook for four kids, so my blog is it! I wish you joy and fun in your adventures!
ReplyDeleteSara, Your blog is absolutely beautiful. I never knew you were such a photographer, ... or writer. I have only read a few of your posts but I'm going to read them more tonight. Impressive. :)
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