A Simple Picnic

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Picnic basket, blanket, food, sunshine, ants, shade tree, laughing, ice chest and talking. What do all of these words have in common? If you said things you might see on a picnic. You are right.

All of my family and friends know having a picnic is one of my favorite things to do. I have been told that even as a child I enjoyed picnics. My aunt, told me that even before I could talk plain I would always ask to go on a picnic. She said, whoever I was with knew that when meal time came I was going to ask to eat out doors. I really do not have a clue what first attracted me to picnics. I do know that as I got older I realized that I enjoy the direct attention people give each other when they are out doors. No TV or phones to distract from each other. It is fun to sit out in the fresh air, talk, laugh and play. It is fun to talk about the nature you see around you. It is a fun time for people to experience and share.

I enjoyed sharing picnics with my 2 sons when they were young. If it was a day without rain I would get out the picnic basket and blanket. Our picnic would consist of maybe nothing other than peanut butter or ham sandwiches and a drink. We would sit out under a big tree in our yard. It was not unusual for a neighbor kid to join us. We probably did this a couple times a week. I have 2 picnic baskets. I plan to hand them down to my sons and hope they will share this special experience with their sons. This summer when we took a day trip with our sons and their families, we decided to pack a lunch of sandwiches, chips, pickles and snacks. We sat out doors at a picnic table and enjoyed our time together. At the end of the day we all talked about our time together. One of my sons ask each of us, “what was your favorite part of the day?” You can just about guess what my answer was. Without thinking I said “all of us having a picnic”. My husband said “I knew that would be your answer.”

Remember when you get the opportunity to share a picnic with your children, your spouse, a friend or even a group of people, take it. ENJOY IT! Don’t feel like you have to work and pack an elaborate meal. Just throw together some sandwiches or even pick up some fast food. It is not about the food. It is about sharing your time with those around you.

Don’t let your children grow up never experiencing an out door picnic.

Please share:

close
Facebook IconTwitter Icon