The summer of 2013 (officially moving toward its conclusion) has been one of my favorites. My daughter was home – something that has not happened since she was 8 and first went to sleep away camp. I have taken wonderful local trips, and this past weekend was a perfect fun and mellow ode to the season.

Nicole and I shopped to get her and her apartment ready for her senior year at college, we did endless laundries and packed her car early Saturday morning so she could begin her trek upstate. Hours later, my sons Jesse and Scott and their girlfriends Courtney and Ashley arrived. My youngest son, Seth, and his girlfriend Jamie were on their way. This already large family is growing and having everyone here feels right. 

We’ve all heard the saying “A son is a son til he takes a wife…” Well, I’m not buying it, I have more faith in my sons and the women they choose to include in their lives than to accept that parable, to say nothing of my faith in our family structure and cohesion. 

I am formulating my own relationships with these young women (and they with each other) all of which is a wonderful, satisfying experience. Saturday evening, they all left to go fishing, and I went to see the movie The Butler. If you have not yet seen it, it is well worth your time. Reliving our presidents and historical legacies was nostalgic, although some of the tragic errors we human beings perpetuated was hard to witness. On the other hand, good people rise to the top (eventually) and do the right thing. Oprah and Forest Whitaker had stunning performances as did so many others in this star studded cast. The movie was personal and thought provoking.

Sunday morning (afternoon?) we had breakfast and hung out in the living room for hours; talking, laughing and reminiscing.  I could not have felt more comfortable, joyous or content. That evening, they all got ready to go to Pete and Nadia”s wedding celebration. As the girls got dressed I shared my opinions on, and offered them my own, bracelets, shoes and accessories. I could feel us getting closer.

Monday, August 26, was Jesse’s 29th birthday, with cards and balloons abounding. This day, spontaneous as it was, was even more fun than the others, as we decided to go out and look for a kitten. Jesse and Courtney were ready to take the plunge. We went to the Wantagh Animal Shelter, but it was our stop at a vet’s office in Massapequa that clinched the deal. A small gray kitten with white paws pulled at our heartstrings. After 30 minutes of on and off indecision, the kitten was placed in a carrier, along with some food and toys, and off it went to its new home with two loving owners to ease the transition. Sometimes, life is perfect!