Where did the summer go? I realize that I can say that about the entire year – or even decade – but the last three months flashed by in a blur. In the past I easily planned summer trips to the cabin, the Giants, the ocean, or even camping nearby, however, life has become more complicated. While Lynn has embraced retirement in the true sense of the word, I find myself immersed in meetings here and gatherings there with Zoom calls sprinkled in-between. I love this busyness or I would cut back, but maybe I do need to reconsider priorities by next June. There is no reason to run around raggedly chasing pursuits.
Next the problem includes the fact that our children have jam-packed schedules and as our grandkids get older, their lives involve baseball, golf, lessons gymnastics practice, and camps. Days and weeks are crammed. Squeezing in side vacations becomes problematic even though this time together is of utmost importance. Sitting with Dayne and Brynley this morning, our conversation focused on ideas for nine months in the future. As crazy as that sounds, the truth is we are all too busy.
“No matter what,” I boldly stated, “in 2024 we’ll go to the cabin and San Francisco. Let’s start figuring it out!” They agreed and now we have to get our intentions on the calendar. It seems that if I reserve the time, writing in my planner in ink, things happen. The ink part is vital – pencil can be erased; ink is more challenging: white-out causes crinkles and writing over the old scrawls creates illegible tangles.
Speaking of planners, in January I vowed to take full advantage of all of the extra pages provided instead of blocking up the daily area with too many details. A 1-inch square has room for only so many times, Zoom call details, and notes. Pretty soon I can’t even read my own scribblings let alone get to meetings on time. The weekly section has lots of space and I love being able to attend to appointments with ease without having to guess, “Is this an O or a 0?” (Study the tiny difference between capital O and zero (0) and you’ll recognize my dilemma.) My promise lasted a few weeks and soon I returned to the clutter. While I frequently pledge to get organized again, so far failure has greeted me as I continue to fill every empty spot of the month with messiness. Maybe 2024 will be the year…
Planners do offer organizational success. Many people speak to me about their personal forgetfulness. Worried, I listen carefully and then try to reassure that while this could signify cognitive decline, chances are that the forgetting comes from too many other items clogging the gateways of the brain. After all, we are all busy with the business and busyness of life. Appointments, the “To Do” list, schedules, and daily necessities may overtake our sense of orderliness and foresight. The best of intensions might disappear in a swirl of other attention snaggers and grabbers. Which brings us back to school and next summer. Knowing that the coming year will be even more complex, planner-ink time is due. If I wait, our four grandkids will be heading to college as I further ponder where the time has vanished.
Some of our bigger trips may have to be whittled. I might wish for two weeks at Priest Lake but must accept that a week works, too. It’s a long drive, but wedging in some days is better than no days. During the time I have been writing this morning, Brynley has looked over my shoulder and she just added, “Can Ellie and Charlie come with us.” Of course! Not only does this mean fun with all four grandkids, it also suggests saving time by combining family members/trips. Yay! Fortunately, all four get along well as a foursome, as twosomes as well as being independent. I’ll add that they are workers, so when there is brush to clear, branches to haul, garbage runs to take, or other jobs to complete, they participate with enthusiasm. This frees up time for swimming, hiking, and huckleberry picking. As for San Fran and other points of interest, there are trains and planes to tie in more adventures. I’m starting to feel better already, thanks to formulating a vision with my key players presenting ways to have everything fit together. Happy Back to School to All.