Life…Unplugged

The Swing from the Old Cabin survived to grace the porch of the New Cabin

Ok, full disclosure—I’m not unplugged. Baby steps. Four of us (me, Tom, Eden and Lily) are spending a few days at my family’s cabin in the mountains of PA. It’s a location I’ve been coming to since I was born, though the building is “new” since 2000. The original cabin as I knew it had no indoor plumbing, but what it lacked in pipes it made up for in character and memories. The “New” cabin (how is it 20 years old already??) was designed by my architect brother and is two spacious stories of bedrooms and living rooms and a huge kitchen. The best part—it has 2(!) bathrooms! 

Actually, as much as I appreciate modern conveniences I think the best part of coming here is what it means to the kids. We’re not especially Active Cabin People. We don’t bring four-wheelers or inner tubes or kayaks or whatever else Active Cabin People bring along to occupy their days at the cabin. We pretty much hang out in the cabin. We bring craft projects, coloring books, books to read, journals, and board games.  If we’re feeling really feisty we’ll venture to the creek or state park for some swimming in the icy water. Despite our slower, more sedentary cabin life our kids appreciate coming here. It’s special to them to return once or twice a year, pick out the beds they’ll sleep in, put their clothes away in the dresser drawers, set their books and journals on their nightstands and settle in. One summer we were here with extended family and the girls and I were on the deck painting rocks. Someone commented about how significant an activity it was, not for the finished product, but merely for the simplicity of the time shared together. I was just trying to fill the hours with something other than the Disney Channel (the cabin tv has cable)! But that comment has stuck with me. In our hurried world we often get so busy we forget to do a quiet, simple activity together, just for the fun of being together. We need to make conscious decisions to say “no” to some things in order to allow space to say “yes” to time spent together. I’m preaching to myself here! It’s hard! The To-Do list will never be done so don’t wait for that.  When I reflect on my days spent at the old cabin, I remember playing board games, passing silly notes to my cousin through the crack in the wall between our bedrooms, jumping over the porch railings, and swinging on the porch swing. And walking to the outhouse. I wouldn’t have articulated their significance at the time, but those are the memories that stayed with me, so apparently those were the defining moments.

Hemlocks and Mountain Laurel

Confession—I broke down this week. I hit a wall. I learned a bit more about myself during my breakdown. One thing I realized is that even though so many activities in my life disappeared overnight back in March I still need to take time for myself and recharge. It seems strange to me on the one hand because I haven’t had the normal schedule demands on my time. Even coming here to the cabin felt a little unnecessary. But there is refreshment in a change of scenery, even if I still need to cook and clean here! It helps me to take a step back, make choices to slow down, allow myself time to read a book or take a nap and sit with my kids. How do you refresh? When did you last make a conscious decision to set aside the unfinished To-Do list and give your attention to your kids, spouse, friend, or parent? Maybe it’s time to dust off your coloring book or paints and make something together. Just for the sake of being together.