Fathers and Strawberries

I'm so glad when daddy comes home,

Glad as I can be;

Clap my hands and shout for joy,

Then climb upon his knee,

Put my arms around his neck,

Hug him tight like this,

Pat his cheeks,

Then give him what?

A great big kiss.

Anonymous

I don't normally think that these two items really have something to do with each other. However, this past weekend we spent our time enjoying both. We visited Mazama in the Methow Valley to celebrate Brent.

We could not have a better Dad at our house. We are so grateful for how hard he works everyday, how much he likes to have fun, and he is willing to challenge himself to grow. He is also really good at math and building things.

While there we hiked up to beautiful Goat Peak. This is the second time we have made this trek, once about 9 years ago, and again this weekend.

It is a very steep climb, however the view and the wildflowers along the way make it so worth it. At the top there is a fire look out that is staffed by Lightening Bill, and his two dogs. He is quite a character, and a gracious host. He thinks he was there on our last visit, as he has been spending the fire season up there for 15 years. We visited with him, signed his guest book, petted his dogs, and he took our picture. The way down was much quicker and easier. The weather was beautiful.

We stayed in a simple cabin and ate great food that we prepared outside on the grill.

On the way home we stopped by a strawberry field to pick berries.

We all participated, although Brent and Maddie are the only ones who will eat them. We walked Maddie out to the field and showed her the berries. She was so excited!

She then began picking and eating strawberries, really big ones, stem and all, one after the other. As you can see, I think we should have weighed her on the way in, and on the way out.

Imagine what was going through her mind. How many times in life do we allow ourselves the joy of walking into a field of (insert something you love) that is just waiting for us to experience it? And if there are, do we allow ourselves to participate in the experience freely?