Summers come so fast and end so soon. Today I waved to my boys as they rode off on the school bus together. Just like that the summer is over. With my youngest son joining his brother in full day school I find myself home alone. It's bitter sweet. I realize how much I can do and how much I need to do. There is a sadness to this new found world - my little boys are growing up, not so little really and very happy to go. I am proud they are so confident - that's what it's about - right? So today is a day of reflection for me, a day to say good-bye to our summer and look forward to my new freedom.

In order to say good-bye to our summer I want to share one of my most special memories - having my brother and his family come visit us and surprise my parents for their 40th wedding anniversary. We had a fabulous time and I recently I wrote him a letter, thanking him for coming. I told him how nice it is to have no expectations, truly I am not the kind of person that thinks about the future, I don't have a picture in my mind of how it will be, of course I have goals, and like to plan but when it comes to the big picture I tend not to go there. My mom has taught me this - why have expectations? If you do there's a greater chance of being disappointed. Having no expectations allows you to enjoy each moment, to be present. Well this family visit was amazing - we had a "Stay-cation" right in our backyard, set up the tent, had a camp fire, roasted smores, laughed and played. My father said it was the best surprise of his life! For me it was a gift - to see my brother grown up, sharing our beautiful children with one another and seeing the joy on my parent's faces. No expectation could have come close!

So I'll continue to reflect today, smile, laugh, and maybe cry but I know to appreciate it all one day at a time with no expectations!



May you have wonderful reflections too.