Week 232
Positive post Sunday, August 1, 2021- Week 232.
This is the final post of my Family Summer Series, and how fitting to wrap it up with a post on the quality family time we spent with my parents Ken Rendler and Dana Rendler (Also affectionately known as Floyd and Louise) in San Diego a few weeks ago.
Valuing family time, my parents rented a large condo that was literally right on Sail Bay for two weeks. My sister Karen and her family spent the 1st week with our parents at the condo and my family and I spent the 2nd week with them, with our brother Tom and his family coming down throughout the 2 weeks. One of many special moments was when we all had dinner together on the Friday evening when we transitioned families. There were 21 of us!
Our family has been vacationing in San Diego for over 40 years, but this was the first year we did not go to Campland on the Bay. Although we all have many fond memories of Campland, the condo right on Sail Bay was amazing. Even with the new venue, we carried on many of our family traditions. We relaxed on the beach each day, swam, paddle boarded, walked to Kono’s for breakfast and went to Belmont Park and Wings to name a few. We also started a new tradition, completing puzzles. With Michele, Jessica, Kendall and my dad doing most the work, I think we completed well over 15 puzzles, with a few being over 1,000 pieces. One was a sushi puzzle which my dad wished he could have eaten. Seeing my mom and dad doing what they love; spending time with family, vacationing along the coast in San Diego, swimming in the bay and walking to and eating at Kono’s was very special. We are all so blessed to continue to enjoy time with them.
All that being said, one of my favorite traditions, in addition to riding my bike all over San Diego, is going to Mass with my parents at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Pacific Beach and going out to breakfast after. Michele, Kendall, Nikole, Christian and I carried on this important family tradition by going to Mass at St. Brigid and breakfast after with my parents on Sunday.
I was raised to, not only ask for God’s guidance in my life, but also to remember to give thanks for all my blessings. As I do each Sunday, this Sunday at St. Brigid, I once again thanked God for my parents, the values they have instilled in me and for every day I get to spend with them. It’s been said that you don’t get to pick your parents, God does. Thank you, Lord. I am grateful that you blessed me with parents who are role models for living a life of faith, putting your family first and serving others!
The photos attached have captured some of the quality time my parents created for us and memories we will always cherish. I look forward to seeing other photos I may have missed and the photos from week 1!
Let me end the Family Summer Series by sharing my thoughts on, “When you thought I wasn’t listening”.
Mom and Dad, when you thought I wasn’t listening
- I heard mom reminding me throughout my life of how important my Faith is, and I learned how to be a faithful disciple of the Lord and raise my children to be the same.
- I listened to dad when he shared his 3 pillars of life – Faith, Family and Work (See PPS Week 179, July 26, 2020), and he inspired me to develop the Triangle of Life – Faith, Family and Fitness which has become the foundation on which I live my life.
- I heard and watched you both repeatedly put the needs of your family and friends ahead of your own needs, and I learned what it means to be a true servant leader.
How did you celebrate quality time you spent with family this summer?
Have you given thanks to the Lord for this special time?