By now many, if not most, school districts and universities/colleges are back in session. Summer is over and it’s time to get back in a groove of school, homework, longer commutes and busier schedules.
The dog days of summer are behind us—though in the Southeast, we’re still feeling the heat and humidity. And typically will for months to come.
With our kids and teachers starting back to school, I thought I’d call upon a beloved class assignment from my past: the age old, “What did you do this summer?” essay.
I have to say, I had a blessed summer of 2014. My girls are older, so they’re not home all that often now and when they are, I treasure every moment.
I started off with a three-week visit from with my youngest before she headed back to college for the summer session. Yes, I tried to pack as much fun as I could in her short time with me.
Then, my youngest niece and nephew arrived to spend two months with my parents and me. Talk about reliving my past. It’s been a while since I’ve had elementary and middle school kids running around the house. From World Cup soccer parties to 90 minutes of trampoline time at a local Skyzone…they certainly kept me hopping—in a fun way!
Between two writers’ conferences, a rousing family reunion celebration in Texas
and the passing of a beloved uncle, my June and July flew by.
To cap off my summer, my middle daughter arrived home for two weeks and we headed off for a long weekend in Key West, my old stomping grounds during junior high and high school.
We biked all around the island,
hit Duval for a little dancing and nightlife, watched a glorious sunset on Mallory Square, caught sunrise before hitting the tennis courts, spent a relaxing day on a boat with old friends, passed by my childhood home and enjoyed playing tourist. It was a jam-packed weekend of catching up with good friends and sharing my hometown with my daughter.
Some folks have commented on all the traveling I managed to do over the past few months. Yes, I’ve been blessed in that respect.
For me though, what I really count as a blessing is the time I’ve been able to spend with family. The memories we created together. The hours spent in each other’s company. The opportunity to say, “I love you” in person to loved ones I don’t get to see often enough.
I’d say the highlight of my summer was the blessing of family time. With the traveling being the icing on the cake.
So, as the Key West sun sets, the homeschool teacher in me wants to know: What did you do this summer?
Tags: back to school, family, family time, Key West, Memories, Priscilla Kissinger, summer, summer vacation, trips
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DEPRESSION: A SERIOUS DISEASE
Written by Priscilla on August 12, 2014. Posted in Blog
I had a different idea for today’s blog, but my heart is heavy after learning about the loss of two people to depression and suicide in less than 24 hours.
One is a Hollywood legend that touched the lives of millions around the world with his laughter, insight into character and engaging personality (Robin Williams). The other was a young man, barely in his twenties. A beloved son with his entire life ahead of him.
But depression doesn’t discriminate. It knows no bounds. Age, sex, race, status… It doesn’t matter.
And depression isn’t something a person can merely “get over.” Or “set aside.” Or even worse, “just suck it up.”
For the person struggling with the disease, life can seem worthless. They feel lost, alone. The lows can be abysmal, with no light to reach for evident.
For family members, it can be difficult as they struggle to understand the depths of the disease and how it affects their loved one.
Depression is not something to take lightly. To brush off. To dismiss as a weakness. It’s an evil disease. It takes lives. It leaves families shattered.
If you or a loved one, a neighbor or co-worker…if anyone you come in contact with shows signs of depression, don’t let it slide. Instead, find the name and number of a local crisis center. Learn about the resources available and share that information. All it could take is for that person struggling to know that someone cares, that help is available. That they are worth it. That life can be a beautiful gift. That their life is a beautiful gift. pjk
So please, look up that number and jot it down, add it to your phone contacts, share it with others.
And today, remember to hug your children and let them know they mean the world to you. Tell your spouse you love him or her. Call your mom and dad, sister and brother, grandmother and aunt. Email your favorite teacher. Text your best friend. Smile at the person in line at the bank or grocery store. Share a joke with a co-worker.
You never know when you have the chance to be the ray of sunshine in someone’s day.
Resources to consider:
http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/help-for-depression#TreatmentFacts1
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depresssion-support
Tags: death, depression, disease, help, loss, Robin Williams, suicide
CELEBRATING FAMILY
Written by Priscilla on July 22, 2014. Posted in Blog
This past weekend was bittersweet for me as I arrived in Texas for a family reunion with my dad’s side of the family, but then wound up having to say a final good-bye to my mom’s last living uncle who happened to live in the same town.
It was a blessing to see my uncle one last time. To give him a hug, smooth back his hair as he lay in his hospital bed, look in his gentle eyes and say a prayer with him.
It’s been a blessing catching up with cousins I haven’t seen in years. Talking about our kids and our lives. Sharing laughs about old times and making new memories.
This weekend has been a true picture of what family is all about. Helping each other through difficult times. Celebrating good times. Advice and guidance when faced with troubles. Support through good and bad. There have been ups and downs, squabbles and tears. But more importantly, there’s been love. Lots and lots of love.
So today, as I move from my aunt’s house to the RWA National Conference hotel, I leave with the certainty that I’m writing for the perfect genre. Romance novels are about love and healthy relationships conquering conflict and doubt and the ugliness of the world.
Our novels celebrate what we want for our kids: happiness, strength, peace and love. Lots and lots of love.
Today, I say: Go hug your kids, call your mom or dad or aunt or cousin, send a simple “I Love You” text to someone you haven’t in a while. Celebrate your family. Life is short. Your list of loved ones doesn’t have to be.
RIP My beloved Tio Pablo, te quiero mucho!
Tags: family, family reunions, joy, loss, love, loved ones, romance genre
YOUNG AT HEART
Written by Priscilla on July 8, 2014. Posted in Blog
Having and raising kids can give you gray hair, make you gain weight, and lose a ton of sleep. On the flip side, having kids has also kept me young at heart—which, in my humble opinion, overshadows or outshines all the aforementioned negatives.
Even though my girls are in college and post-college adult life, I’m blessed with a 10-year old niece and a 12-year old nephew who spend the summer with my parents and me. This means my summer is filled with dolls, video games, Disney Channel, bike rides, kid movies at the theater and—for the first time in my life—a trampoline park.
If you follow me on Instagram or twitter you probably already saw the pics of my niece, nephew, close friend and me at a Skyzone trampoline park this past weekend. I’m a big Groupon and Living Social shopper and when I saw a deal for 90 minutes of trampoline time a couple of weeks ago, my first thought was, “Oh, my kids will love this!” Quickly followed by, “Wait, I’ll love this!”
Let me tell you, 90 minutes is a looooong time. Especially when you’re using muscles you normally don’t. And even more so when you forget your age ‘cuz you’re feeling like a kid again—bouncing off side walls, leap frogging across 8 trampolines, pushing yourself higher ‘cuz you think you can actually do a flip in the air. Talk about a new way to get some exercise!
We all jumped like silly fools. The kids played trampoline dodgeball. No, I didn’t go for that, I was too busy acting like Spiderman throwing myself against the trampoline wall trying to stick for a second or two before careening back toward the trampoline floor.
Needless to say, we were all hot, sweaty messes by the end of our allotted time. But we were hot, sweaty, giggly, happy messes. Fun was had by all!
For a brief time I forgot my real age and enjoyed being a kid again. All thanks to my desire to help my own kids have fun.
Of course, when I woke up the next morning with sore calves and an achy lower back, my age caught up with me. I moaned for a second, then laughed when I found out my nephew was sore, too.
Another happy memory created together—stretching out our soreness from our time jumping through the air, laughing at our silliness.
So sure, I’ll take the occasional gray hair and sleepless night because I’m a worrier. But I’ll treasure the moments when my kids allow me to act their age rather than my own.
What about you? Have you tried anything new lately that made you feel young again—wild and crazy and like you could take on the world? If not, I suggest you see if there’s a Skyzone or something similar near you!
Tags: exercise, family, fun, humor, skyzone, trampoline, young, young at heart
SPORTS—CAMARADERIE, CHARACTER BUILDING AND, OH YEAH, EXERCISE
Written by Priscilla on June 24, 2014. Posted in Blog
If you’re a sports fan, subscribe to your local paper or regularly watch a morning news show like “Today” or “Mike & Mike”, there’s very little chance you haven’t heard that World Cup Soccer is in full swing. I fall into all three of those categories—especially the first one.
In my family, watching or playing sports is as natural as breathing. Yeah, it’s a way to get some exercise, but it’s also great for family bonding and teaching important life lessons.
My daughters have learned about pride in doing your best; humility when winning; perseverance when losing; leadership and teamwork for the whole rather than the individual.
Some of our best family memories have taken place on a court, a field, or in the stands together. Some of our most disappointing and some of our funniest moments have been the same.
Sure, participating in a sport is great for your body—strength, conditioning, and flexibility. But it’s also vital for character building. And it’s definitely a fabulous way to bring my family together.
Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood with our dog,
training for a half marathon with my sister
or two of my daughters
participating in a Ladies Football Clinic with my mom
or organizing a 3-mile family fun run and tennis tournament during a Christmas family reunion in Florida
sports has always played an important unifying role in our lives.
Right now we’re in the throes of World Cup Fever, cheering for the USA!
If you’re a soccer fan you probably already know this, if you’re not don’t be surprised when I tell you that thus far in the Cup as a USA fan we’ve experienced pride in our boys and our country, humility in finally beating Ghana, perseverance in losing the lead and ending our game with Portugal in a tie, and leadership and teamwork as we gear up to take on the powerful German team on Thursday.
These are all vital character traits we can all stand to improve. In my family, we simply like to dress up a little crazy now and then while we work our character together!
GO USA!
Tags: character building, family bonding, family time, humility, kids, leadership, life lessons, losing, pride, Priscilla Kissinger, soccer, sports, sports fans, teamwork, USA, USA soccer, winning, World Cup soccer
