Improvised Camping Trip-UNO Smack-down

We had a failed launch of an overnight camping trip to Mt. Baldy, when my husband declared my truck was sick, and needed to go to the mechanic’s for a quick fix. So I improvised our outing to the back yard. It consisted of NO KITCHEN COOKING! We roasted hot dogs over the fire, my son’s friend Lindsay brought over an awesome chicken salad, I had iced cold beverages for the adults and in the end we made ooey-gooey s’mores, by our suburban camp fire. Laughter emitting from all of us, bad joke telling, loving digs of the flaming marshmallow & burnt hot dogs on the clothes hanger, made for a night of fun!

And then it was on. The UNO Smack-down Challenge…My Husband and brother-in-Law “Single-Steve” were busy solving problems in the world and didn’t participate, but we went to battle and played. We even coerced my silly & great next door neighbors Mike & Mandy, to join us.

Sometimes life gets hectic. We forget to spend quality time with the ones that are the most important beings on the planet to us, by being so settled into routines. We need to remember that our children grow up way too fast, and in my case mine are practically grown at 16, 20 and 22. Where has the time gone? But I do know this: that the nights of “Family time” with “UNO Smack-down” at hand, are among my favorite. Good clean uninterrupted time with the ones you love, making memories. Laughing so hard, you squirt liquid out your nose, or in my daughter Taylor’s case, you snort uncontrollably…are simply the best. No TV, No phone, No Computer for distractions, just splendid conversations that allow you to peer into the hearts of the ones you love and delve into who they truly are; wishes, dreams, desires and their twisted senses of humor.  Spend time with the ones you love, make memories. 

After declaring exhaustion, I headed off to bed, knowing that my youngest two children were out back by the fire last night. While discussing sibling antics, made my heart sing songs of praise, that they love each other. For in the end, when I have departed this earth, they will have each other to help bare the joys, pains, sorrows and triumphs with a family common thread that I have witnessed part of the weaving.

“UNO Smack-down” may have been the cause, but seeing two of your children who care for each other & try to help problem solve this so called life, makes for one momma who can rest her head, knowing they will be just fine!

So go plan an outing, buy a game, and see how marvelous your family really is. Because in the end, isn’t that what our life is about? The ones we love…and making memories.

No matter what you've done for yourself or for humanity, if you can't look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?  -- Elbert Hubbard