It was Dane’s idea and what a fantastic one it was!
It seemed like we were constantly trying to juggle opportunities to celebrate birthdays and coordinate dinners with the kids (several of which were in college or married at the time). Then one evening Dane suggested what turned out to be one of the best traditions ever.
His idea was to plan a Family Day once a month on a Saturday or Sunday, to invite ALL the kids over for a meal and to celebrate anyone’s birthday or anniversary that fell within that month. It would be a casual gathering with a simple meal. (He had to say that to keep me from trying to turn it into an At Home with the Pioneer Woman event or something!) I also had to be okay with the fact that we wouldn’t always pick a date that worked for everyone.
I admit I was a little skeptical at first.
To my surprise, they all appeared to love the time together! it was rare for one of the kids not to make it to Family Day! We continued our monthly gatherings until sometime around December of 2016. That was our last Christmas spent all together just before our children began to scatter across the United States.
One particular evening stands out to me – It was July 25, 2014. Dane and I had been married a little over two years. This was during a time when the relationship with Dane’s oldest daughter was especially tricky and we were in a brief intermission following the first of several court battles with his ex-wife.
We really needed some encouragement!
Dane and I were sitting on the porch swing overlooking the back yard listening to the laughter and playful back-and-forth of six of our seven children and our daughter-in-law. (Sadly, my oldest daughter was not there that night, she would have loved it!) My joy overflowed! That evening was etched in my heart forever.
The picture heading this post was my attempt to document that moment. Watching them interact, it became clear that many times what was needed was simply for Dane and me to stand back and let them do their thing.
Moments like these help sustain me during the storms.
Until Next Time: Step Gracefully!
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