This weekend we went to a park gathering hosted by the church our friends belong to. It was designed as an activity for families, as well as a benefit for a young woman in the community who is seriously ill.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the event was far better organized and fun than I assumed it would be.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the Velcro wall and booth games where Craig filled his pockets with candy.

But what struck me was the feeling that this must have all been done before. How else could such a large gathering, with a band, food booth, dunk tank and carnival games result in such a successful turnout?

And then I watched who was doing the work. I knew that while the organizers of the event got together to plan, Darla’s friend babysat their kids. I knew this church family had created a community, where members depended on each other.

But there was another thing. I saw one mother giving out the free tickets for carnival games — her young child at her side. I saw another mother managing a game booth. Her teenage daughter managed the one next to her. I saw a Dad helping kids into the Velcro booth. Craig’s 10-year-old friend stood in line for his turn to get dunked in the dunking booth. I saw Darla’s friend collecting money at the food booth, with her mother next to her – and her married sister sat with her new husband selling raffle tickets.

Of course these events are successful. During the planning, execution and enjoyment of the events, families are doing the work together. They’re learning together. And they’re having fun while they do something wonderful for everyone who attends — in addition to the young woman who’ll benefit from the dollars raised.

What an inspirational system they have for event-planning: Growing a servant’s heart.

What a remarkable way to pass the torch.

Other torch-passers:
Looking Toward Heaven – That’s my girl
We are THAT Family – Who will I be?

What does passing the torch mean to you? Is it teaching? Passing traditions? Or good news about youth? Join us each week for Pass the Torch Tuesday.Former PTT posts.

I took this photo along our rustic roadside on the way to town. It seems every time I meander these three miles, I discover a new wildflower bursting with color.

The lilac season is nearly over, but looking at this photo, I can almost conjure their beautiful scent. It reminds me of cotton candy. Our neighbor at the cabin has the white variety and some days when the breeze is just right, I’ll catch a whiff of these amazing domestic flowers, from yards away. It’s like opening a present. I can’t think about anything else, during the moment the fragrance overwhelms my nose.

My appreciation for flowers has changed throughout the years — along with many other things. Priorities constantly shift and in recent years it seems for me there’s more space for simple gifts.

Fresh flowers. As a child I picked them. For years I ignored them. Now I photograph them. And one day I’ll learn all their names.

Each weekend I share moments that help me journey toward occasional “presence” — explained in A New Earth — to appreciate the small gifts life brings. This post is also a part of Fussy’s Happiness Project every Thursday.

When we visited Washington DC, our first visit was to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home. It was a gorgeous day, and Mount Vernon is always open, so the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, this was a good place to spend the day. The siding on the home looks like stone, but it’s actually beveled wood sprayed with sand in the wet paint.

George and Martha Washington’s tomb.

I came to appreciate George Washington a great deal, as we learned about him. He was an agricultural scientist and inventor – always finding new ways to generate better crop yields, grow his own seeds and invent new types of plants. This “tree fence” was his brain-child also. By growing trees and digging a ditch around paddocks, he was able to make a sustainable and strong living barrier to control livestock.

I always appreciate living history exhibits. These people were spinning yarn and teaching us about crop rotation.

We had arrived to the estate early, but we foolishly wandered around the grounds first, rather than getting right to the mansion tour. This resulted in an hour-long wait in line later.

Darla is teasing here, since we’d already stood in line for 45 minutes prior to reaching this sign.

The kids’ favorite part of the grounds was the “ha-ha” wall. Another of Washington’s inventions, the ha-ha wall separated the cattle from the mansion lawn. It was named for the way people would laugh at unsuspecting wanderers that fell over it.

Washington DC series:
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro

We visited Washington DC over Memorial Day weekend (Yes, I know that was more than a month ago. I never said things were “real-time” around here!) So now I’ll proceed to publish about half-a-gazillion photos spread out over the next week or so. Enjoy!

Jefferson Monument

On Memorial Day (Monday) I stood in line at the Washington Monument from about 8-9 AM and was able to pick up four tickets. I don’t think that was too long of a wait, since it was a holiday weekend, but I feel badly for those who showed up at 9 AM – I’m sure all the tickets were gone by then.

Capitol and National Mall

As I approached the ticket window, I was surprised to see that there was still availability for 2:00, which is when the Memorial Day parade would start. The parade would come down Constitution and pass right in front of the White House, so we could see it from the top of the Monument.

World War II fountain and Lincoln Memorial.

After I got the tickets, I met the rest of the family at on the reflecting pool, and we came back to the Monument about one-half hour before our scheduled time.

White House

The bright, clear day made for awesome photos from every side of the monument. One landmark down, dozens to go!

Washington DC series:
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro

Ring-ring

It was my neighbor – the one just down the road with a son the same age as Craig. She asked if I had time to talk.

Uh-oh.

Craig was home, so I knew he was fine, but obviously she was bothered.

“I need to talk to you about how to handle something that’s been happening when Craig has been playing here lately.”

“Okay,” I said.

Jane is not the kind of person who overreacts. She has neighborhood kids at her house all the time. She’s welcoming and kind and sweet. She bakes them cookies and makes everybody sandwiches. She doesn’t harp on kids, and I’ve never seen her grumpy. And she isn’t a negative or critical person at all. So I knew this was a big deal.

“He’s a great kid, and has never been a problem until recently. But the last couple of times, he wrestles too hard with the little kids. And he said something mean to Lane.”

“Really?” This is unusual for Craig.

“Yes, the younger boys had been messing around with Lane’s sword and broke it. Lane was upset about it, and Craig just laughed it off, flippantly saying, ‘Who cares? Just get another one.’ Lane was so upset, I had to send Craig home.”

Whew. I know my kids aren’t perfect, but typically they keep their worst behavior for me. This was the first time I had been confronted by one of them getting “too comfortable” in someone else’s home.

“How would you feel about helping me do my job as a parent here?” I asked her.

“Sure. What should I do?”

“Craig is apparently oblivious to the fact he had anything to do with having to go home. He told me it was because Lane was naughty,” I said. “He’s gotten a little too comfortable at your home and isn’t thinking before acting. But he respects you a lot, and would listen to you far better than me.

“I would suggest that the next time he comes over, you pull him aside, far away from the other kids, and seriously explain to him your expectations. Tell him what happened last time, his role in it, and how it is not acceptable. And tell him he is not allowed to wrestle at all. He’s too big and doesn’t know his own strength. He’s generally clueless about all of this, but your conversation would change that.”

Deep breath. “I think I could do that,” she said.

“I feel badly about putting this back on you, but it would mean the most coming from you. I really want the relationship between the boys to work. And I want his relationship with you to work, which is why it might be better if I stay out of it.”

Craig went back to play and a little while later I received another phone call. She’d had the conversation and he took it very seriously. He was even a little teary. But the boundaries had been drawn. Kids need them so badly. I never said a word to Craig. Nor did he to me. And we’ll keep it that way. His relationship with Jane is in tact – even stronger now. And Jane and I have agreed to keep our lines of communication open about both our boys.

“Thank you for helping me parent my kids,” I told her, seriously. “Isn’t it easier when we help each other?”

I love this neighborhood.

Other torch-passers:
The Dishes Will Wait – My Gene Pool
Dreaming of What Ifs – Preparing Him For the Future

What does passing the torch mean to you? Is it teaching? Passing traditions? Or good news about youth? Join us each week for Pass the Torch Tuesday.Former PTT posts.