A Ride in the Gator

Sunday night I went to bed feeling blessed, but with one small regret. After a perfect day with my family in Lanesboro, I was kicking myself for not bringing along my camera. It has been a difficult year in many ways for all of us. But Sunday was a happy day and I wanted to preserve it. Hopefully this small story will help to protect the memory of a simple yet very sweet time together.

We all gathered at Elstad Church for a special fundraising concert Sunday morning. Each member of the family had a role in what really was an incredible show. Julie played some amazing piano duets, Isabelle wowed everyone on violin and piano, Keith sang in a barber shop quartet and I emceed. The music was uplifting and the brunch that followed was wonderful.  The morning was filled with laughter and hugs. As I watched Bereket play hide and seek with her cousins in the church basement, I thought how very blessed we all are to have one another.

After the brunch, we all went back to the farm. While sitting around the kitchen table, Bereket sweetly asked, "Papa, Gator ride?" Dad was more than happy to take us all out for an adventure. I squeezed in the back of the Gator with the older children while Bereket rode between Dad and Jason up front.  

Usually Gator rides are just a quick trip out to the pond and back. But today was different. Dad was in no hurry. He wanted to give us a ride to remember. He took us through fields and pastures pointing out empty patches of land where early settlers had once lived in simple cabins. He pointed out tall trees that had been planted by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the 1930's. He told stories of our ancestors and his childhood.  By the time we returned back to the house, more than an hour had passed and Mom and Julie were about to come searching for us. We were all hot and sweaty and Isabelle's allergies were on fire. But looking back, I am so thankful for this special moment with Dad as he shared with us the land he loves so much.

Sunday was a day to celebrate our roots; our family, our family church and our family farm. I am so thankful for all of these things.

I may have forgotten my camera Sunday, but I did bring it on our family camping trip last weekend! And really, these photos get to the point of what this little story is all about, the blessing of family and where we all come from.  This was Nil's first time coming along on the annual camping trip and it was his first time at the beach! He loved every second of it and we loved having him along!

And these smiles, all this love between cousins..Incredible! Thank you, God for these people and another day together.