The busy of life always gets me. Distracts me, worries me, and frustrates me. Many times I have wanted to run from it. I complain about it. Conversations with my friends are much of the time focused on it. I talk and think too much about it. It brings anxiety to the quiet and yells above the noise.
But at the end of a very long love-hate relationship, my conclusion is this. The busy is a choice and how I react to it and live it...yeah, that is a choice, too.
All of that to say...the blog dashboard will be fine, as will my laundry room, and all the half finished projects that I just knew I would complete this summer. 40 posts in my 40th year may come to an end in my 41st...and I am okay with that.
So here I am at the end of the hot and humid Tennessee summer sitting on my porch, reveling in and celebrating the busy. Loving all the titles I wear, anticipating all the dates of things yet to come, and blessed and loved by all the people that make up my circle.
The blur of this summer included too many traveling football camps to count, two gymnastics camps, and a cheer camp. IMPACT at Lipscomb landed in the middle of all that and cross country practices were sprinkled in the spaces. A trip to Helen, Georgia ended June. We explored Seattle, Washington and did some hiking at Mt. Rainier in July. My forever boyfriend and I celebrated seventeen years. We revisited Rugby, TN with friends. Grandparent and family visits were a blessing throughout the entirety. The seventh annual WeCareCannon filled a lot of our days and evenings. And at the end of the summer, we found ourselves submerged completely in a life of high school football.
Our summer. Blessed with much love and life and fun.
As I unpack the last of the suitcases and gym bags and souvenir stashes, I have a smile on my face, but there is an empty space in my heart that feels like it hasn't been attended to quite right.
Saba.
This has been the first summer in recent years that my feet haven't planted themselves on the soil of the "Unspoiled Queen". It's been the first summer in a long while that I haven't spent two weeks loving on the Saban children at a day camp. This has been a summer in which my lips didn't touch the rim of a Ting bottle. My stomach missed Johnny Cakes and fresh Guava jam. This summer my lungs never were filled with the fresh Caribbean salty air.
And July Trees. It has been a summer without July Trees.
Lipscomb-Saba team veterans that have had the chance to travel down for both summer and spring trips will tell you that the two trips are very different from the other. The two trips are very unique, but the two combine to make a more than beautiful whole.
Spring Break trips get the chance to be in both schools on the island for a entire 5-day school week. It's pretty special to help teach classes, volunteer where needed, paint some fun on some walls, go crazy on a play ground, and talk to teens about what life truly is about. Spring Break hits the ground running once that little puddle jumper hits the little runway. We go full speed and all out for ten life-changing days each March.
Summer trips get a taste of true island life. We work hand in hand with the people of Saba to offer a day camp to the youth. After hours we sit on porches and around living rooms, enjoying food with families who graciously invite us to gather at their tables. As team members walk the road, mangoes can be picked and eaten right off the trees. Carnival is in full preparation mode.
Each of these two trips get to experience the same island and same people, but see and do different things.
On Saba there are these trees. Their trunks are broad. Their branches are thick. Their roots are strong. The locals tell me that these trees are called July Trees. I always wondered why...until my first July on Saba rolled around.
In March during Spring Break Lipscomb trips the trees are full of stems filled and heavy with bright light green leaves. But in July, when our summer teams are on Saba, God puts on a show.
Those bright green leaves are joined by the brightest and most vibrant red blooms in July. I count these trees as a special treat and blessing from God the Father. You know, not many people in the grand a scheme of things get to encounter a July Tree on Saba in the month of July. I am one of the lucky ones. These trees just blend into the landscape eleven months of the year. They make Saba a little more greener most of the time. But then July rolls around and those in attendance get a private viewing; a VIP showing, if you will. I am glad to say that I have laid underneath the shade of one of these unique trees and that the three kids have climbed it's branches.
July Trees. I am so thankful for them.
So cleaning up from a summer of the busy, I am a little sad that there is not dark brown sand falling from my carry on bags or multiple bottles of Saba Spice to unwrap and put up for the winter. It has been March since I have heard the tree frogs as I fall asleep. My hand misses the feel of the hand of a Sacred Heart student. I long for the shared laughter and prayers with my island friends. And I haven't seen a red July Tree in over a year.
But I pause. If my summer had been full of July Trees, it would have been empty of many other things. As unique as it is to be blessed with a July Tree, there are other things that are a once in a lifetime occurrence...
The excitement my 14 year old freshman has had as he has taken to football fields from Watertown High to Clemson to Knoxville and a few places in between. The accomplishment my middle school cheerleader feels as she lands a successful cartwheel and learns a new stunt. The laughter my mini-me has as she organizes yet again another summer dance party in the living room. Sliding down a snow slope in my shorts and a t-shirt on the side of a big mountain. The wonder and amazement my girls have had as we sit on our front porch and count stars. Three boys cannon balling into a pool, with the thought of two separate high schools not making a bit of difference in their camaraderie. A progressive summer time tapas night with close friends. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring a new city. Overcoming fear together as a family on a ropes course. Celebrating the first Fourth in America in years with fireworks and family. Meeting a dog named Pimento. Giving high fives and hugs to a bunch of school kids in my hometown.
A summer without July Trees...but instead filled with beautiful moments that can never be relived, just recounted and remembered. Just as unique. Just as beautiful. All these things were my July Trees this summer.
I am so thankful.
Each day has it's own July Tree...maybe even more than one. People, moments, and opportunities that may blend into the landscape and may be the common green that we are use to seeing day in and day out. But if we change our focus, our attitude, but most importantly our heart...beautiful red blooms may just start to pop up all over the place, leaving our lives changed, made better, and opened up to what God really has in store for all of us. He leaves surprises for us every where. We just have to be able to open our eyes and identify them as July Trees.
"Be glad and rejoice forever in my creation! And look!"
Isaiah 65:18
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