SF + 40

"Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January." 
-Hal Borland

I have determined to enjoy summer and to savor all its goodness deep down to the core. Like diving deep into refreshing water, I'm swimming long and intently sensing the balm to my body and being. August brings an urgency to savor the loveliness of summer as it begins to conclude.

I've purposed MORE:

more listening-- noting laughter, quiet mornings, wind, waves, words especially

more looking-- in the eyes, at what is important to others, at summer light, summer hair, summer skin

more swimming-- just to get in there often with my kids, even if it messes my hair!

more savoring-- no other summer will be like the last as each year brings much change

more reading and meditating-- freedom in Christ being the goal

more gratefulness-- for this day, this season of time, this life, these people

more yes-- to what matters 

And LESS:

less concern-- for schedules, for housework, for makeup and coiffed hair

less expectation-- letting go of perfection and what I could otherwise be doing

less condemnation-- intentionally accepting differences, maturity, human struggle and imperfection

less hurry-- For crying out loud, we've needed a break!

As it always happens, summer goes by far too quickly. I'm happy with the productive/unproductive ratio, as both sides have had their beneficial affects.

Ah, summer! It is my absolute favorite, but it would benefit no one to last forever. So I will accept the coming of another season with its demands and expectations for the growth and development it will bring.

>>:<<

These pictures have been sitting here in a saved post for several weeks now. My computer time has been spent mostly with repairing some issues I've experienced with my blog (an infuriating amount of time, actually), but my mind and heart have composed words and felt sentiments for my husband all summer long. These things have been tucked away in my heart, or repeated to the Lord in thanksgiving, because both my heart and my God don't need eloquent words to communicate precise meaning. I am gravely inept with words, especially spoken words. I would love to be a woman who speaks affection, appreciation, and affirmation with ease. Isn't it silly that there is difficulty in clearly saying what we long to say? I will continue to fight against inhibition. Despite my impediment, my heart is big for Jon, and the things I feel towards him are difficult to express in letters and words across a white screen.

If it was written that the soul of David and Jonathan were knit together, I can venture to say without mushy sentimentality that I feel inseparable to Jon in the same way. I'm not sure what that really means - for two souls to be knit together - but the invisible connection or interwoven oneness of two separate beings is an apt description when I think of my husband, my own Jonathan.

And it's sort of laughable, too! Truly, we could hardly be any more different. The saying "opposites attract" couldn't ring truer! But life is full of surprises, and after 19 years of marriage we are seeing ways in which we have become more similar. We have also seen that our differences have served to enhance us as a team, or else to conform us to Christ-likeness. So that's a win/win, if we choose to look at it this way.

We had the opportunity to fly to San Francisco for a few days last month in celebration of Jon's 40th. Jon is a city-loving man, and exploring SF was such a delight for our family. Take me to a city with character and beauty, and I will love it, too. (So far my favorite US cities have been NYC, Boston, and SF. Although full of character, LA couldn't woo me... and I honestly tried.)

The views of aqua water over light-colored structures and homes was spectacular. The hills... hills call me anywhere. I pictured myself running the stairs and side streets everyday if I lived there, breathing in the cool air.

As we always do when exploring a city, we did a ton of walking. Sometimes we'd park the car just to climb stairs that ran the length of several blocks. Each street and every view captivated us, and the gardens always called our attention.

Lombard Street, below.
We drove it twice and walked it up and down. We exchanged picture taking with another family, and yes, apparently my hand was beginning to undress my husband. I am hopelessly awkward.

We nearly always explore China Town wherever we go. The kids found a fun treat to try, and I enjoyed looking at all the green veggies.

Clothes hanging to dry is something I am familiar with. I grew up hanging our clothes, except ours was a line that ran from the corner of the house, passed a large maple tree, and over the edge of the field. I'm guessing that our clothes smelled better than these, but I can appreciate using what's available to meet a need.

The wharf was a favorite place. Here, Andrew and Olivia danced to the music while we searched out a yummy place for lunch.

Pier 39 was Andrew and Jacob's favorite, closely followed by restaurants where bowls of clam chowder were served in real SF sourdough bread.

Andrew loved the unicycle show. This unicycling boy of mine has come to realize that he can earn money with the assistance of his single-wheeled ride, just in a different way than the man we watched. For Andrew, his unicycle has endeared him to new "clients" in our neighborhood, and then his reputation for dependable work has led to more opportunities.

Watching the show...

The Painted Ladies

It was a good thing we didn't pack a lunch for this grassy knoll, as I'm sure we would have irritated all the other people trying to take pictures.

We knew SF was going to be cool, but we weren't expecting it to be frigid in July. Here, at the end of the day, we were frozen stiff. My Canadian blood has run thin. (At least my hand was behaving as we exchanged pictures again.)

Our second full day began with walking Golden Gate back and forth. The fog was really spectacular and the cold was extra bitter, but there was no way we could leave the city without walking its famous bridge.

Silenced

Art deco

Power

Solitude

Middle

Lesson for life: Search for beauty when your world is dark and heavy. Hold on to hope.

Lesson for life: The fog will lift. Always hope.

16th Avenue Tiled Steps. 

SF is the dreamiest Stair Master city.

Quiet places for people to sort out the things of the heart, or to sit in silence. In my opinion, these spaces are critical to consider if you're into city planning. Also, in my opinion, these spaces are underused because people haven't learned the value of out-of-doors quiet places, or of sorting out the heart.

So Jon hit the 40-year mark in July. It was a soft enough hit, but a hit nonetheless. Does anyone anywhere like to age, even in cultures where youth is not glorified? My turn will come next year, and I'm not sure it will be a soft hit. I'm hoping I won't take it like a punch in the gut.

Why is 40 such a defining mark? Why is it that goals are set to be reached by the this age? Who said 40 ought to be such a big deal?

I don't know.

One thing I do know, however, is that I'm thankful for Jon's 40 years, thankful that he's chosen to live [most of] those years with me, thankful for the man he has become. He is an extraordinary person, with talents and gifts that most don't understand because he has chosen to use his life to serve others rather than himself.

He is a precious man who has followed his Savior in his love for the church. This has been demonstrated by setting asides personal goals and aspirations for the good of the church every single day. Few realize the extent of this, but I know the Lord sees and I pray that He would bless and encourage.

Jon has also followed Christ in his sacrificial love for me, always striving to live with me in an understanding way. He has sought to know me well in order to love me well. I regularly hear him say, "I just want you to be happy." He lives out this desire for me even in ways I don't always see or know. I have not deserved or demanded this, but it has been the grace of God in my life to have such a man as this.

God's beautiful design for marriage is evident in this: That Jon's love for me only fuels my desire to love and serve him back. With the help of God, we are enabled to do this.

~Katherine