Saturday, August 20, 2011

Seasons...They Go Round and Round

I have never been one to dread or fear the passing seasons of my life. But rather embrace and celebrate in the joy and uniqueness of each one. When my oldest daughter donned her first backpack and skipped out the door for St Johns Lane Elementary, I was elated for the new world she would soon discover. And years later equally thrilled when she wore a golden cap and gown...graduating from LHS to an even bigger world. Even as The Teenager,my last born started Kindergarten...I rejoiced and celebrated his newly found independence.

However, just the thought of finally gathering my babies and my grand babies together under one roof for the first time in a long time made me absolutely giddy. In pure Garlick Press fashion, we celebrated! Such an occasion demands a photo to preserve the memory.


Except, Olivia doesn't want to play this game...


Put me down...put me down!

Oh look at this pitty flower Olivia...Henry what's up dude?


Click...that will do!

And guess who fell in love with the chickens while she was here? None other than the California Lawyer Girl herself? Remember of course, that Friggy was named by Dione and her law classmates.

Nearly every morning during her visit, you would find Dione out playing with the chickens. Gizzard loved all the extra attention and devotion.

We ate divinely! Lawyer girl made this beautiful and scrumptious salad.

Trips to the pool, Muddy Buddies, puzzles, and


round after round of playing Nertz. After that, a game or two of Hearts...where there is never a winner, just a big loser! We stayed up much too late giggling, teasing, drinking Diet Cokes and eating fabulous food of course!

At the end of the week, the chickens went back in their coop and Dione left for her second year of law school. With Bob home from his business trip, Momma Cass loaded babies, dogs and lots of other stuff in the car for the trip home. Dean left on his long overseas business trip which left...


The Teenager and I to our usual routine. I embrace these simple days with only Chet at home, just as I treasured those early days as a mother with a house full of little ones.


This season of my life is full and beautiful; I share it with the man of my dreams. Two amazing and fabulous little ones call me their Nana. And they have the best Mama who adores everything about them. In LA, Lawyer Girl is knocking her internship interviews out of the park! And The Teenager starts high school as a Freshman next week.

I think Joni Mitchell sings it best...
And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look behind 
from where we came
And go round and round and round
in the circle game.