Title: Sunny Days, Happy Ways: Seizing Opportunities with Your Kids
Sunny Days, Happy Ways: Seizing Opportunities with Your Kids
Have you ever heard the expression: "Make hay while the sun shines"?
Growing up in a desert country, I always thought it meant to be merry while the sun shines—probably because sunshine was a constant there. As a child, I associated "hay" with "hey!" and fun, although I couldn't quite trace the exact mental path…
Fast forward to my adult life in Scotland, a place with real hay fields and astonishingly long summer days. During the peak of summer, sunrise greets us at 03:30, and sunsets happen just before midnight. The light lingers so long that you can still read a book as the clock strikes twelve.
In Scotland, hay gathering is a frantic activity because sunny days are few and far between. Farmers often work until nearly midnight to bale the hay while it's dry, making the most of every precious sunshine hour.
Last week, just as we were about ready to start the new academic year& were starting to dread the long winter ahead, we had an unexpected blessing- a last few (first few for our island!) days of summer. Our island experienced half the usual amount of sunshine this year Half of very little is -very, very little. So, when we suddenly found ourselves gifted with three consecutive sunny days, what was a homeschool mama to do just as we were sharpening our pencils and getting ready for some hard work? Naturally—cancel school and go make hay, of course!
I'm so glad we did. Arctic northerly winds followed shortly after, making those three days of outdoor play all the more precious.
The children turned our front lawn into a bustling playground. They constructed a volleyball-like field, blissfully trampling the grass, and played 'Nuk'em Ball' for hours on end. They pitched a tent and braved the midge attack (midges are mosquitoes crossed with Tyrannosaurus Rexes and then shrunk to very small size so they can get in anywhere), eating meals outside, fully immersing themselves in the outdoor experience. To crown it all, some dear friends visited and we had a fantastic 'braai'—a South African barbecue.
Life's precious moments often appear unexpectedly, much like those rare sunny days in Scotland. As parents, it’s imperative that we seize these opportunities to create lasting memories with our children. Turn unexpected sunshine into a mini-holiday. It is so good to plan and work and be efficient, but it is essential to always remain flexible enough to grasp every chance for joy.
By embracing spontaneity, you not only teach your children the beauty of living in the moment but also impart a valuable lesson about adaptability and appreciation. So next time a sunny day (or any opportunity) comes your way, I encourage you to pause your routine, gather your loved ones, and make the most of it. Here’s to making hay while the sun shines and embracing every opportunity that comes your way!
