For many of us, this is a time we slow down, get away, lie in the sun, swim at a beach, or perhaps meet up with relatives at family reunions.
For me, it's a pleasant time where we escape to the Gulf Islands to our little spot of paradise. I love to compare notes with friends that venture to Cultus Lake or to Whistler. For us, our journey is a 10-minute drive to B.C.
Ferries, happy hour while in the queue, a nap enroute to Galiano, and second sitting for dinner as we transit Active Pass. After a coffee and a trip to the washroom, we disembark for a 15-minute journey to our cabin on an island where a traffic jam is a dozen cars coming off a ferry.
Our annual July break has, for several years, included one daughter and her family coming home from Southeast Asia for a month and joining up with our Victoria daughter and her family. The exuberance and joy of five young grandchildren playing together for their annual time together is really something to make your heart go soft. Relationships are renewed and deepened, experiences shared and new adventures had.
As I observed all of this today I was struck with the subtle changes taking place. When I was quite young we lived away from family so reunions were very brief experiences, and apart from expensive long distance calls at Christmas, there were few similar experiences. When our daughters were young, reunions with cousins did take place and were great face-to-face encounters that have remained as memories for their life.
This morning, as our family got up and congregated in the living room, and after extended morning greetings to one another, each became immersed in their Blackberry, Playbook, tablet, iPod, iPad, laptop or similar device. Ten people with eight devices in use!
The room became silent except for the clicking of keyboards.
Gradually as the news and messages were absorbed and responded to, conversation returned to "what's for breakfast?" and "what will we do today?"
Adults focused on emails and social dialogue, while kids went for various electronic games and educational programs, which have become an integral part of their lives. Only later did Play-Doh and Lego emerge out of their "put away" places.
Later as we organized a trip to the thrift store and farmers' market, several had to ensure their smart phones were on in case we became separated and needed to get in touch with one another.
We do communicate well with one another and are aware of one another's feelings. The grandchildren play together happily. It does, however, make me wonder when these youngsters become grandparents what they will observe in their grandchildren?
Will they want to escape for a summer break? How long will it take to get away to a suitable place? If using B.C. Ferries, what might it cost? How will they communicate with one another? Will they really get away, or just remain in constant virtual contact?
My grandparents would have great difficulty understanding what we do today to "get away." What will it be like in another two generations?
