Exploring Big Sister’s Campus
Throwback Story from (October 24, 2021)
I am sitting with Thea at the side of a pool on the Embry-Riddle campus because we chose to ride down with Christina for her Sunday afternoon flight block. Thea is laughing at pictures “Anastasia and the Bunny-Bear” from Easter at gym. (The Bunny-Bear is the Easter Bunny outfit Jaquline & Kimberly wore.) “The Bunny-Bear loves my gymnastics!” Thea says and laughs.
She jumps around; we’ve already walked the campus and she’s pointed out “safe” lizards (I told her here the lizards are not allowed to be chased) and flowers and bumble bees and honeybees and “boys and girls at Christina’s school.” She’s asked me almost everyone’s name. “What’s that boy’s name?” “Who is that girl?” “Are they all Christina’s friends at school?” (She goes to gym-school and all of those participants are her friends, so she assumes everyone at the school you go to are your friends.)
After listening to my stressed-out teenagers discussing life in the early afternoon, I’m convinced I didn’t do a great job of teaching them how to enjoy life and be grateful for the moment they are in. Sometimes that is really, really hard. Sometimes life’s circumstances don’t seem good. Sometimes it’s hard to be grateful – but you have to! I usually feel like I’m enjoying what I am in. I am grateful for the life I have; I love my family, my job, my church – those are the important things! I am so happy for the amazing things God keeps doing in our lives!
Christina and her educational journey is a continuing story of how God keeps answering prayers!
I’m so thankful for the people God has put and keeps putting in the path of my teenagers and young children through church, gym, and friendships. Becky has learned so much from the mentors in her life. Kimberly has positive role models who keep encouraging her.
Our journey has been full of ups and downs like any life story. We have to find the positive and focus on that. Like right now. Thea is running around on the “Water-bridge” after touching the “scary man” (metal statue of Wilber Wright) tentatively. She’s singing something I can’t figure, likely made up, and I’m typing.
Perfect contentment while exploring the strange surroundings that are Christina’s school. I’m sure I’ll hear lots of stories about the man, the critters, and the “boys and girls” she discovered.
I love watching the younglings do something new; why I love just walking and exploring. We can always find something to enjoy when we slow down and ignore the overbearing stresses of life. Take a break. Make yourself take a break.
Enjoy the slow down.
It makes life more fun!
Type at you later!
~Nancy Tart
