Breathe in and store it in your soul!

I tend to over-plan in the summer holidays. If you are a parent of two small boys (or any make of small child, in fact) you will understand why. Too long in the confines of a small house and garden, and they become wrestling maniacs, jumping on top of each other, performing stunts on the trampoline and generally looking as if we might have to visit A&E at any moment. However, this year, I have tried to leave more time free, more moments to chill, and more opportunities (as the current trend advises) for them to experience boredom and find entertainment for themselves.  I love a great plan and an itinerary for an organised day out – but I’m learning to embrace the unscripted bits too and the moments of brilliance they generate.

I enjoy posting on social media, almost as much as I enjoy a good itinerary - particularly because we have family in far flung countries who love to keep track of our children's antics. Facebook, though, is only good for the highlights, the ‘photographic’ moments.  I am beginning to understand that, sometimes, the best memories are the ones that cannot be captured on camera or crafted into a social media status.  As a wise friend once said, there are some moments that you can only “breathe in and store in your soul.”

With that in mind, this is my alternative attempt to recall and record some of the memories that didn't make it onto Facebook this summer, but are well worth noting and remembering for years to come.

My first, and probably my favourite memory, is a conversation I had with my 6-year-old, on our way home from shopping, in the car. He is inquisitive and always asking a multitude of questions about every topic you can imagine. On this particular day, he wanted to know about Adam and Eve.  Bearing in mind that our children, at 6 and 9, know the very basics of the ‘facts of life’ because of questions asked in the past, the following conversation ensued:

Small son: So, were Adam and Eve never babies then?

Me: No, God created them as adults.

Small son: Oh. How did they get their own babies then?

Me: Err...how everyone gets babies...we've had this conversation!

Small son: WHAT?!! They did the sex?! But they were CHRISTIANS!!

I tried really hard to right his misunderstanding that the two things were mutually exclusive - but it was tricky to do so whilst suppressing a huge giggle!

Memorable moment number two was ‘the incident of the cartwheel.’ On one of our first few days away on holiday, my oldest son was suffering with tonsillitis. Passing time while my husband took him into the local doctor, my youngest son and I headed for a nearby park. He loves gymnastics and began trying to master all sorts of manoeuvres, which I watched enthusiastically from a bench. Moments later, unable to resist a challenge, I informed him that I used to be quite good at doing cartwheels and could probably still pull one off. Worried I might be next in line to see the doctor with something sprained, I cleared my throat nervously and gave it my best shot. It was actually quite a good attempt! I looked around to see what my son thought of it and heard a gasping intake of breath as he clapped his hand over his mouth in stunned shock. He had truly underestimated his old Mum and I had evidently gone up considerably in his estimation. He spent the rest of the holiday begging me to repeat the feat. I declined, convinced that once was risky enough! I will never forget the look on his face.

My third favourite moment was when a spontaneous song broke out around the dinner table. It was the end of the holiday and there was a variety of random puddings on offer, to be used up before our departure the next day. The boys chose an Oreo ice cream. Further options were a selection of brilliantly named ‘Nobbly Bobbly’ lollies, as well as some slightly limp strawberries. One of my boys began to chant "Oreo" with a degree of rhyme and rhythm. My friend's husband seized the moment and turned the song into a round, singing “nobbly bobbly, nobbly bobbly,” over and over to join with the rhythm. My husband, not wishing to miss his opportunity for stardom, entered with the bass beat of “strawberries yum, strawberries yum!” This continued for some time until we all dissolved into laughter. It was the silliest of moments, but one I'm sure they will remember. The song has been sung ceaselessly since – even on the ferry home.  Not embarrassing at all!

Family life is hectic and hard work. There are many sad, hard and trying bits.  But the echoes of these moments, will spur us through the harder parts and I am so grateful to God for them.  Although they will be archived, unphotographed, in the vault of memory, they will still, hopefully, be verbally dusted off sometimes and chuckled over occasionally, as they become part of the unique narrative of our precious family life together.