This recent Memorial Day weekend was a fun and relaxing one for our family. My husband, who owns his own business, took Friday off. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, that meant he had four days’ break from work. Friday was spent doing projects around the house and running some errands. We spent Saturday as a family in one of our favorite places to take a day trip, the Maine coast.

There is something I find indescribably comforting about being near the ocean. Perhaps it is because I was born on an island. Maybe it’s because so many of my happiest memories happened on a beach. Or maybe it’s the power of the water and the air and the rocks that reminds me of the power of the Creator of it all. Whatever it is, the sea calls to me and brings me to a place of calm.

My children love to explore the rocks along our favorite stretch of coastline in Boothbay Harbor. There is a glimpse of a lighthouse out in the distance. The islands which can be spotted from the beach are like so many others that dot the shoreline along this stretch of the Atlantic, yet each is unique as well.

We were blessed with a radiantly sunny day with brilliant blue skies. The water had it’s cheerful spring colors on and the breeze was slightly chilly. It was perfect weather.

We also strolled along a coastal flea market for a couple of hours, discovering treasures we didn’t know we needed. It was a truly delightful day.

Sunday morning was dedicated to attending church. In the afternoon, my husband took the children fishing while I relaxed and visited with my mother. Monday, we attended a backyard barbecue. The children and young people enjoyed games of croquet and ultimate frisbee while the adults relaxed and engaged in rousing discussions of everything from theology to food allergies to dog bites.

It was one of those weekends that exceeds expectations—a delightfully idyllic few days that I will cherish for a very long time. Our schedules have been so busy lately, this lovely break came at a time when I really needed the refreshment it brought.

I am so grateful for the enjoyable time we spent together as a family. As our family grows and each of the children matures, the opportunities for days like these will slip past, especially with our oldest children. In the not-too-distant-future, my little chicks will begin to leave the nest, and life will never quite be the same again. If you are a mom with little ones, savor every moment you have right now. These days are precious and gone all too soon. You will blink, and one day they will be grown up and ready to head out on their own. And you will wonder how it happened so fast. Take my word for it.