For years, in August, my daughter loaded her van and drove to Saskatoon for our annual summer visit. First, with two children, then three, then four, then five, and then sometimes with extras. 

I was so excited as the kids jumped out of the van and immediately asked ‘grandma, is there a treasure hunt ready?” This is a favourite memory of theirs, and mine, there were so many cool hiding places in the old three story house and large yard. 

We’d visit Forestry Farm and Zoo, the local pools, play games, and read their favourite books to them. We’d bake triple chocolate pizza! Usually we would make a trip to see my mom, three hours away. 

There are so many cherished memories. A memory I think of often is the time we had ‘kids days’.  We dedicated a day to each of the six kids who were there that year. On their day, they could pick what we’d have for supper.  And we put a large piece of newsprint on the wall in the morning, and throughout the day, everyone would note on the paper, what they liked about that person.  We’d read through that list before we sat down for their selected supper.  The smiles on each child’s face, on their day, as we read that list, stays with me.

For the trip home, my daughter preferred to leave very early while some of the kids were still sleeping.  So we’d carry them to the van and as they were ready to leave  I would feel a deep sadness and a deep gratitude.  And as they drove away, I would go indoors, climb the stairs, and go to bed, and sleep.  And sleep. 

I am one lucky grandma, here with Ben, Sam, Abe, Meghan and Sol sharing this photo taken by their auntie Nikki.

As John O’Donohue says in Beauty, the Invisible Embrace: Everything that happens to us in the world passes into us. It all becomes part of the inner temple of the soul and it can never be lost. This is the art of the soul: to harvest your deeper life from all the seasons of your experience.  John O’Donohue, in Beauty, the Invisible Embrace.

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Yes, I like to think of all the wonderful memories being part of the inner temple of my soul!

I have enjoyed writing about my soul, about being and grandma:

Here is about harvesting my soul

And some thinking about family and grandma time: Connecting to my younger self, May I be a blessing, Seven wonders in my world, and Postcards from Gigi.

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I delight in sharing my thoughts, such as these, in a  newsletter, typically every few months. And now and then, ideas show up our Facebook page. Always love to hear from you via email.

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