Love, Laughter, and Healing
Our children and one of their grandmothers. From L to R: Dreana, Trey, Maka, Taiya, and Maddie (our niece)
One of our most beloved family traditions is the annual Labor Day shenanigan’s hosted by Andrea’s sister, Missy, and our brother-in-law Chris on their property in Wyoming.
This weekend has become known as a time for laughter, campfire stories, good food, and a chance to see family and friends at least once each summer.
It’s a chance to disconnect from technology, get off the grid, and reconnect with our people.
Labor Day 2022 was more special than most as it was also a celebration of life for Andrea and Missy’s dad, Ed “Pops” Skinner.
What we did not know or expect was how this theme of celebrating a life lost, would open doors to healing conversations that were desperately needed.
Family bonds were strengthened, new friends became “chosen family” and the tears of open, honest communication were followed by hearty laughs throughout the night.
Paddle boarding in the pond, Naked Acres 2022
There were the usual campfire shenanigans, a Naked Acres record number of people swimming in the pond, an “Anything but a Cup” poker run, and a wine tasting by Andrea that left a few grandparents napping in the sun.
Lots of fun was had in our “Anything but a Cup” challenge. Jerrod took 3rd place and Andrea was well behaved :)
It was a time for Andrea and I to share what we had learned in our year of travel and to encourage our family and friends to live life on their terms.
We also we blessed to receive one of the best surprises ever as our oldest daughter, Dreana and our son by her choice, Reed, arrived unexpectedly Sunday afternoon completing our family circle that we had been yearning for.
This was a moment where our family hugged and cried as one, laughed like we had never laughed before, and accepted each other without judgement.
Labor Day 2022 will forever be remembered as a weekend in which we openly asked questions, apologized where necessary, and sought deeper connection with those around us.
Terms like generational healing and chosen family became topics of conversation and as we left to go our separate ways, we knew this weekend had changed us all for the better!
