The riders in a race do not stop short when they reach the goal. There is a little finishing canter before coming to a standstill. There is time to hear the kind voice of friends and to say to one's self: "The work is done." - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

DURING TODAY'S SESSION . . .

We reflected upon our time together and celebrated!

EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER: TALK ABOUT . . .

Throughout the program Families there have been opportunities to reflect on what you have done. Reflection time is important. Reflection means reviewing what we have done and where we are. If we take time to reflect we usually learn something. If we take time to reflect, we often find we either are making great strides toward our goals or can change course before we get too far down the wrong road.

It can be hard to find time for reflection in our busy lives. Counteract this challenge by scheduling reflection time as a family. What have you done together over the last several weeks or month? Which of those events was valuable? What do you wish hadn't happened? What new activities or events do you want to add to your family calendar? How can you plan to move forward as a family?

EXTEND THE TOPIC TOGETHER: TRY . . .

Sometimes we are so busy "doing" that we not only forget to reflect, we do not leave time to celebrate what we have accomplished. What recent accomplishments has your family celebrated? What upcoming milestones can you plan to celebrate?

A FAMILY RITUAL

Does your family have a special relationship with one or more families in your congregation or neighborhood? Invite that family to share with you a new family ritual, Doing Good Together. Pick one day a month that your families can get together and do a good deed for another family. The website Doing Good Together, http://www.doinggoodtogether.org, has many suggestions. Here are a few others:

• Offer joint family babysitting coupons to a family with a new baby.
• Is there a movie or play in town that supports a justice cause your families support? Go see the movie together, then write a review for your congregational or district newsletter or an editorial for your local newspaper, urging others to see it with their families.
• Organize a drive for Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or another organization that accepts donations of slightly used goods.

After the monthly event, make sure you leave time to reflect together upon the experience and to plan the next month's event. Who knows? Maybe other families will see how much fun your families are having and decide to join you!