Simple and sacred summer
By McKenna Runde | For On Mission
A few years ago, I was encouraged by a friend to adopt the habit of scheduling a “no-plans weekend” on our family’s monthly calendar. We were adjusting to life as toddler parents (still are) and were getting caught up in all the “busy” of the world around us.
The reminder of the importance of slowing down was just what we needed.
For us, it meant intentionally blocking off one weekend each month for just us. The weekend could include anything “fun” we wanted to do together as a family, but it included no scheduled visits, no laundry list of tasks to accomplish and no busy rushing around — only slowing down.
It has been the biggest gift for us to make the time to step away from everything else and intentionally “be together.”
Summer can be a very busy time, but it can also provide a great opportunity to nurture the simple and sacred opportunities of togetherness with your family. As my family prioritizes this opportunity, we try to hit three main objectives together:
– Get outside
– Slow down and keep it simple
– Try something new
These objectives can be accomplished in all kinds of different ways! Maybe your family chooses a new park to explore after Mass on Sunday. Perhaps you could start a small Marian flower garden to tend together, growing in devotion to our Lady. Plan a bonfire and camping night in the backyard to roast marshmallows and tell stories. Set up a backyard movie night to watch a new movie about a saint.
And, don’t forget to take advantage of the many wonderful family resources available throughout our Diocese of Green Bay this summer, such as Camp Tekakwitha Family Camp on Aug. 3 or involvement in your parish picnic or other summer parish event
Prompts to sit with:
– Make a list of 10 simple things you KNOW you can do as a family this summer. What are simple summer activities that bring you joy?
– What do you want for your family this summer? Describe the summer day that leaves you feeling best — what do you do?
– What do you need to let go of in your planning to help you feel less busy and more focused on togetherness?
“It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.” — JRR Tolkien
Runde is the director of Camp Tekakwitha, located on Loon Lake in Shawano.
