Afternoon Adventures
What are your favorite afternoon adventures? Do you love planting a garden of wildflowers? Cooking a gourmet meal? Maybe you enjoy sanding an old board so you can build something new. How about strapping on a parachute and flinging yourself into blue sky thousands of feet up? Umm, I’m starting to feel queasy … Fortunately, I love writing. My imagination can soar through the clouds while my feet stay rooted to the ground.
I have friends who are quilters, photographers, musicians, decorators … and the list goes on. Everyone has a different idea of adventure, but behind each of our passions are experiences and people who contributed to that love.
My grandparents passed down to me an appreciation of the written adventure. As little girls, my sister and I would crawl up beside my grandmother and listen to her read folk tales. I never tired of hearing them, and I’d stare at the pictures while my imagination danced. The stories came to life as she read. My grandfather, a man of many creative talents, began his writing adventure in his forties. He composed his first poem, “Seasons,” for my aunt, a high school student at the time. In his nineties, after the loss of my grandmother, the poems he wrote reflected his love for her, his children, and others who impacted his life. I’m reminded of his legacy daily because his beautiful mahogany desk is where I now sit to write my own stories of adventure.
I love how God places people and experiences in our paths to give us joy, excitement, and purpose. In Psalm 37:23, David writes “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” (NASB) How beautiful that God cares for us and brings pleasure and adventure to our lives.
It’s your turn! Who encouraged you in your afternoon adventures?
2 Comments
Kim Paul
I was blessed to be born into a family of incredibly strong, creative, intelligent, remarkable women. My mother, both grandmothers, and all of my aunts were inspiring role models. Of course, in the arrogance of my youth; I did not fully recognize their wisdom and talents. I remember my grandmother Laughton trying to teach me important life lessons with a patience that was unending. I don’t know how she put up with my know it all attitude; but she did. One afternoon we were sitting out in her backyard shelling peas for supper. She was sharing what seemed to me at that moment an unending story about something she had experienced when she was a teen. I didn’t say anything; but must have had a look on my face that clearly showed what I was thinking because she stopped telling her story…smiled patiently at me and said, “Sweetheart. I know you think that you are listening to the ramblings of a crazy old woman; but one day you will understand what I am trying to say.” Of course she was right…she always was…because years later I came to the realization that my grandmother knew me better than I had ever known myself.
Kim
What a beautiful tribute! I always loved spending time with your family and have great memories, especially of Beaufort and Disney World 😊