We Wore Kim Out

We may have worn Kim out yesterday. I know I came home dog tired.

We were able to re-create an old family tradition of a state park overnighter. Our kids, now parents, had fond memories of those days gone bye. After a walk down memory lane, we started organizing a “re-do”. One of the many lessons we have learn through Kim’s journey with cancer is to celebrate life now and not wait for the elusive ‘someday’. Kim put this custom back on track with a quick call to the reservation office at Mahoney State park.

The park could sandwich us in for 1 night in 3 cabins in the middle of a week. It was not the ideal scenario but we made it close to perfect! The weather co-operated, the activities were abundant, the food was wonderful, fellowship comforting and the memories old and now new are priceless.

The proof of just how important this custom was for the new parent generation was quite evident. Many of them made it a point to rearrange their work schedule. My sons were disappointed that our stay could not be on a weekend.

The newest generation was in heaven. They had a ball. In fact we all had a lot of fun. The water park is a new addition since our last stay but a favorite of everyone. The trails were re-visited, the tower was conquered and Laurel remembered the Nilla wafers for feeding the fish. Monte even ventured over to the putt putt course with his oldest sons. Mom and Dad hosted our departing picnic complete with the theme of Christmas in July. I don’t remember sweating this much at Christmas but I did feel the same sense of family, thankfulness and peacefulness that is experienced at that special time of year. A favorite memory this time was watching the smiles and drinking in the feeling of a loving family. As Gail and I sat in the shade at the marina and watched Kim interact with the kids, Gail whispered how she just wanted to burn this site into her memory. When we were the young mother’s we were too busy to even consider the powerfulness of a statement like that. I wish I would have burned more of those visions into my memory. I may not be able to recall the vision of those long ago days like I would like but they still bring out the warm fuzzies. We had the assistance of many cameras this trip. That will help. I can’t wait to see everyone’s pictures.

"Back in the Day" when our young adults were the kids, we usually numbered 15-20 with some family members coming and going for meals and work. This year there were 40 (plus 2 halves) for the evening meal but only 17 spent the night. Our group has grown since we did this with our kids. Brother, Monte, was one of the kids then and now he adds 6 more to the total number with wife and 5 kids.

The biggest change was having so many babies. 2 were a year old so walking and chasing them always kept someone busy. Then there was a 7 month old and 3 tiny 5 week old triplets. Before 2008 is over, we will have 2 more babies too. It's not hard to find a baby to hold.

This state park overnighter is a good tradition but I am going to start doubling up on my vitamins a couple of weeks before next years outing!

Thanks Kim for re-starting this fun tradition.

Jan Snyder