childhood dreams - The Modern Nomads

Today was absolutely divine! (Said in my best Anne Shirley accent 🙂 ) This morning I got to spend a day at Green Gables. The moment I walked onto the site, I was a little girl again. Chris let me go a little ahead of them, and thank goodness. The minute I got a glimpse of Green Gables my heart swelled with tears. I was finally here!

I have dreamed of walking where Anne and Diana played, laughed, and got into mischief, and today it became a reality. As I walked up the side of the house, I could almost picture Matthew coming in from a long day’s work. The cherry tree that drew Anne in with its brilliant blooms was perched exactly where it ought to be. Marilla’s kitchen was completely spotless with her apron hung appropriately outside the door. And, Anne’s room was just as I imagined…plain but with a simple elegance.

Then…the BEST part of today happened. As I was coming out the side door, Anne literally walked up, through the pasture, and into the yard. Oh, I know it was only a sweet gal playing the part, but today I didn’t care. I introduced myself, my girls, and carried on with her as if we were kindred spirits. Normally, I am pretty sensible and reserved in my emotions. But…not today. Today was a day for childhood dreams to become a reality, and I was determined to enjoy every moment. Soon after meeting Anne, we saw Diana and later Gilbert. As they watched the actors interact with each other, my girls got to “experience” a pure, sweet friendship that I hope they will always remember. Anne and Diana would chat, tell each other secrets, and stop to snicker as people passed.

As I watched them, I was reminded of the kindred spirits God has given me in my nearly 40 years. In every season of life, He has provided at least one person I could walk alongside. Today, I thought through those friendships and thanked my Good Father for giving them to me. I’ve toured the world with some of them. I’ve laughed myself silly with some, and I’ve grown closer to Christ because of all of them. Anne used to say: “Kindred spirits are not as scarce as I once thought them to be.” And, I couldn’t agree more! I’m thankful I was reminded of that and hope I don’t forget it.

My morning at Green Gables will go down as one of the highlights of my life. The only thing better…experiencing it with my mom next week when my parents come to visit.

Until next weekend…

PS: I’ll post more pictures tomorrow when out internet connection is better. 🙂

Welcome to Green Gables

After four days of driving, we have FINALLY arrived in New England! Tonight we go to sleep in Connecticut…but oh the day we’ve had! Our original plan was to go straight from Hagerstown, Maryland to Hartford, CT., which would been about a 5 hour drive.

However, about 3 hours in, we realized that we would only be 20 miles from New York City. Originally, I didn’t want to fight the traffic, but I knew I would regret not allowing the girls to experience at least part of the city. They are fascinated with the Rockettes and often talk about seeing where they “live.” So, in a moment of weakness (or genius), we headed into Manhattan. OH. MY. GOODNESS!! I am SO glad we went. My girls got to see the Hudson River, Financial District, Radio City Music Hall, go around and around and around in a spin door (think Elf), drive through Central Park, and a NYC hot dog stand. The minute I got the girls out and we began walking hand-in-hand across a busy NYC street, I literally squealed like a little girl. In a small, but real, way, I felt like this mama’s dream was coming true. I’ve anticipated the day I could take my girls to one of my favorite cities, and today it happened. Granted, it was only about 30 minutes, but it was one of those moments I’ll never forget.

Once again, the Lord taught me something about myself. I used to be spontaneous and loved to do crazy things, but, as a mother, I have changed. I tend to be afraid to get our kiddos out of their routine, and when I do, I worry that it won’t go well. Therefore, I often choose the known for the unknown. Today, I was reminded of how much I will miss (and therefore my children will miss) if I don’t, at times, throw caution to the wind and just go for it. Yes, we ended up getting to our hotel 2.5 hours after we originally planned. But, it was worth EVERY minute. The girls loved talking to their grandmothers while IN the city they had previously only heard about. They loved seeing the Rockettes “home.” They loved imagining and dreaming about the day I bring them back. (For two years, I’ve promised we would go to the city for their high school graduation trip.) And, most of all, they loved stepping out of the norm and doing something different.

I want to encourage you planners, like me, dare to be spontaneous. Dare to step outside of y0ur norm and do something new. You may just discover that it was exactly what you needed.