I explained last week how I've been feeling burned out on the commitment of a weekly meme, and figured I'd just stop doing it.
Problem is, I kind of hate the idea of leaving all the happy behind. So, I've decided to do it monthly instead. I think the final Friday of the month will be a good time to look back over the previous weeks and pick out what made us happy.
You totally agree, don't you? Excellent!
But for THIS week, I'd like you to welcome Laura from Catharsis. She is funny, irreverent, opinionated and sassy....
Excpet for right now. Today Laura is sharing her happy nostalgia.
Michigan has this strange tradition. Every summer weekend, hoards of Michiganders pack their bags and their cars to the brim, stuff themselves and their pets in their vehicles, and head “up north.” I remember my parents relating this tradition to someone when we were on a family vacation out West one time.
“Aren’t you already as far north as anyone could possibly want to be?” questioned the puzzled woman.
The thing is, this tradition isn’t about going in one specific direction. “Up north” is everywhere. Some people travel “up north” while heading south on the freeway. Others truly travel “up north” to da land of da Yoopers, eh (the U.P for those of you not versed in Michigan humor). Still others head a mere 15 miles from home to their destinations, declaring they’re on their way “up north” the entire time.
This tradition of going “up north” began early for me when my parents, broke and clueless, purchased my great grandmother’s lake cottage when I was two. Some of my fondest memories were created in that small cottage by the lake -- memories of learning to swim, of catching my first fish, of chasing frogs and turtles, and of sneaking s’mores at campfires.
When I had children of my own, I was determined to continue this tradition of going “up north” on summer weekends. I was determined to provide them with the same opportunity to make memories that I had. I was determined to give them the childhood I had been given.
Of course I know the past can’t be repeated and that children must make their own childhoods. But the beauty of it is, that’s exactly what my kids are doing.
Gone are the days when we pumped water from a well down the road and used the outhouse when we had to go to the bathroom. My sons and their cousins now enjoy the luxury of running water and an indoor toilet.
Gone are the days when staying on shore and taking the occasional canoe ride were all we had to do. My sons and their cousins get to enjoy a speed boat, a paddle boat, a fishing boat, and a canoe, not to mention dozens of other outdoor activities.
Gone also are the days when we each had our own comfy place to sleep. Instead of accommodating four family members, that tiny cottage now has to accommodate nine, which means we sleep on top of each other -- almost literally.
But there are plenty of things that are not gone. Plenty of things to be experienced in a new way. Things like eating popsicles on the dock.
Things like experiencing one’s first 4th of July boat parade.
Things like cleaning one’s first fish.
No, “up north” is definitely not a place. “Up north” is a lifestyle.
“Up north” is getting back to nature and enjoying the great outdoors. It’s trading in cell phones and laptops for campfires and board games. It’s family bonding and memory making.
“Up north” is tradition.
“Up north” is happiness.
Well heck, I wanna go "up north" too! It sounds really great.
Laura, thank you so much for an excellent last TGIF guest post!
Excpet for right now. Today Laura is sharing her happy nostalgia.
* * *
Michigan has this strange tradition. Every summer weekend, hoards of Michiganders pack their bags and their cars to the brim, stuff themselves and their pets in their vehicles, and head “up north.” I remember my parents relating this tradition to someone when we were on a family vacation out West one time.
“Aren’t you already as far north as anyone could possibly want to be?” questioned the puzzled woman.
The thing is, this tradition isn’t about going in one specific direction. “Up north” is everywhere. Some people travel “up north” while heading south on the freeway. Others truly travel “up north” to da land of da Yoopers, eh (the U.P for those of you not versed in Michigan humor). Still others head a mere 15 miles from home to their destinations, declaring they’re on their way “up north” the entire time.
This tradition of going “up north” began early for me when my parents, broke and clueless, purchased my great grandmother’s lake cottage when I was two. Some of my fondest memories were created in that small cottage by the lake -- memories of learning to swim, of catching my first fish, of chasing frogs and turtles, and of sneaking s’mores at campfires.
 |
| My goodness, the 80s were cruel (fashionably speaking), weren’t they? |
When I had children of my own, I was determined to continue this tradition of going “up north” on summer weekends. I was determined to provide them with the same opportunity to make memories that I had. I was determined to give them the childhood I had been given.
Of course I know the past can’t be repeated and that children must make their own childhoods. But the beauty of it is, that’s exactly what my kids are doing.
Gone are the days when we pumped water from a well down the road and used the outhouse when we had to go to the bathroom. My sons and their cousins now enjoy the luxury of running water and an indoor toilet.
Gone are the days when staying on shore and taking the occasional canoe ride were all we had to do. My sons and their cousins get to enjoy a speed boat, a paddle boat, a fishing boat, and a canoe, not to mention dozens of other outdoor activities.
Gone also are the days when we each had our own comfy place to sleep. Instead of accommodating four family members, that tiny cottage now has to accommodate nine, which means we sleep on top of each other -- almost literally.
But there are plenty of things that are not gone. Plenty of things to be experienced in a new way. Things like eating popsicles on the dock.
Things like experiencing one’s first 4th of July boat parade.
Things like cleaning one’s first fish.
No, “up north” is definitely not a place. “Up north” is a lifestyle.
“Up north” is getting back to nature and enjoying the great outdoors. It’s trading in cell phones and laptops for campfires and board games. It’s family bonding and memory making.
“Up north” is tradition.
“Up north” is happiness.
* * *
Well heck, I wanna go "up north" too! It sounds really great.
Laura, thank you so much for an excellent last TGIF guest post!
You know you want to connect with Catharsis:
Now let's do this!
Write. Button. Link.
Boom.
(Remember, this isn't the end of TGIF. It will simply no longer be weekly.
The next one will be Friday, August 31!)
One of my favorite things that I do as a parent is share my happy childhood memories with my kids by letting them experiencing the same things. Seeing their joy lets me relive my childhood all over again!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Greta! Having kids truly does make us young again. We get to find the joy in the little things all over again!
DeleteYou've completely made me want a cabin "up north" to spend every weekend with my family at! It's so awesome to be able to watch your kids now create their own fun summer memories while you get to remember yours as well. And it has to be nice to unplug and just get a way from the usual day to day stuff too!
ReplyDeleteYou should totally get one! It's a great way to de-stress and find your balance. Plus, there's something pure about being away from the city and the noise.
DeleteI love how you're continuing tradition and that you've realized that "up north" is more than a place. Such wonderful memories you're making for your children.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Making those memories all over again is awesome. It's almost like I get a second chance to experience life up there through a child's eyes.
Delete