Midnight Uno Sessions

Have you had the chance to sit outside a closed door where laughter is erupting through the cracks? Between each giggle I can hear the popping of a childhood favorite, the game of Trouble. As I sit downstairs watching TV and listening to my daughter and her cousin I'm thrilled by the memories they're making. My cousins and I had so many opportunities to bond and I love witnessing my kids do the same. 

Some of my favorite memories are playing Uno around my Aunt Mary's dining room table at 2:00am with my cousins. By that point we had already indulged in pizza, Greek salad, and at least one Starwars movie. Between hands my cousins constantly fought over which New Kid on Block was each of their boyfriends. The weekends were epic! 

As a parent I think one of our biggest desires is to share the things that have been meaningful in our own lives with our kids. To facilitate opportunities to experience the same joys and store up similar memories. It's been so long since those Friday nights but I still remember the conversation, the laughter and most of all the real relationships. I can see our younger selves embracing life and sharing it with those we loved. As an adult we long for these types of interactions but we're so distracted. 

Technology has enhanced so many aspects of our lives. It has revolutionized how we engage but if we're honest it has also set us back. Late night board games have taken a back seat to constant scrolling and nonexistent conversation. So as I listen to the nonstop laughter of my daughter and my niece I pray that we would wise up. That I (and you) would be smart enough to prioritize and daring enough to miss out on our FB news feed. It seems risky but what if I wake up one day and realize that there is a thirty year gap between my last real engagement.

How many potential memories are we missing each day? How are our hearts being altered in a way that doesn't build us up? We were meant to be together. To laugh with someone else and to shake our fists as the other person exclaims "Uno". We were designed for relationships. I'm thankful for my children, who consistently bring me back to things that have long term value. 

Now for the irony of posting this on social media...

No wifi = Blog

Flying through the sky without internet is the perfect time to reflect on the week and process all that's happened. For this reason, I was ok when our flight attendant announced "You're going to have to survive one hour without the internet" (alright I admit there was a moment of sheer panic). 

I'm on my fourth flight of the week but the good news is two of those were vacation flights. Thiele and I had the opportunity to fly away to Southern California Saturday through Wednesday and it was incredible. We arrived in LA Saturday and took our time leisurely strolling down the coast to see our Chicago friends in San Diego. There's nothing quite like sand between your toes, salt water crashing against your legs and mountain views in the distance (I get the SoCal thing now). California dreaming is a real thing (side note: why are all my favorite places so expensive? #goodtaste). I loved having the time alone with Thiele to decompress and talk with less than normal interruption. Traveling with only the baby proved much easier than the day to day with all five (though I definitely wouldn't trade it). 

There's something about vacation that inspires us to dream and dream big. Without the day to day I think we're more honest about what we really want and our hearts confess their truest desires. Not desires to do nothing forever but dreams of what life could be like if we pursued our real passions and how we could grow if we were willing to take a risk. It's easy to keep doing what we've always done and pursuing our dreams is one of the greatest risks so we keep on keeping on. 

Not only is it a calculatable risk to pursue dreams but we live in an age where we can quantify everything. We all have gold stars in developing a risk assessment and can persuade ourselves to never be adventurous. I don't think all of our technology and education has moved us that far forward. It has definitely enhanced our comfort but I fear it limits our fullest potential. It prohibits our willingness to take risk. When we were in the wilderness without access to the internet we were wandering, exploring and forced into a state of adventure. 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was our time in Joshua Tree Nat'l Park (if you haven't been, GO!). It's one of the most bizarre places I've ever been! The stark contrast between the high and low desert are awe inspiring. There are so many things that aren't logical. So many random types of vegetation that are able to survive in the most extreme climate. So many questions come flying out of your soul as you soak it all in. It's healing and inspiring and I believe it stirs up new vision. 

Without the distraction of constant communication (if we can really call it that) we were free to talk and engage in real conversation. We were encouraged to engage. Reveling in the wonder of creation we articulated our deepest desires and I believe we're closer because of the honesty that was drawn out. It was quiet which gave us an opportunity to be still and ponder. And be close to our creator. 

True exploration is riveting and I believe one of the greatest desires of our heart. Time spent wandering through canyons and scaling rock walls brings me great joy but it also reminds me of my deep need for real relationships. There is a sense of purpose and a desire to live a life that has meaning. The chance to see what was previously unseen (by us) gave Thiele and I the chance to connect in a new way. I loved every second of our trip and learning more about my favorite person. 

She is a woman of the most noble character. Her heart is wild and free. She has strength I cannot explain and a desire to serve others that I envy. I love time alone with her because I always have a new level of respect and a deeper love for her. She lives in a way that builds others up. She is fearless in the way she offers love to others and she listens like no one I've ever met. Hearing her heart and finding our shared passions continues to unite us moment after moment. The moments are not all perfect but what's perfection anyway? I think it's just something we've developed to put ourselves above others and distort reality. 

Here I am, trying to store away all the memories we made on our trip. The places we saw, the food we ate (BTW, eat at Mendocino Farms in LA), and more the experiences we had together. A spider as big as our fist came crawling across our path when there was no one else in the same part of the desert (there was screaming! You decide who it was). The time we spent with dear friends walking along the bluffs, overlooking the ocean, and reinvesting in our friendship while catching up on lost time. The dreams we discussed for our family and next steps to move forward. The time we spent marveling at the way the waves faithfully crashed in at our feet. It was a trip to remember and fuel to move us forward. Not only a time to recharge but a time to adjust direction and pursue risk. I'm so thankful for our time to wander together in Southern California.