Ah, summer, a most beloved time of year. It’s the time for exploring, adventuring, and of course, the ever-important-staple… ice cream. Though we have some time yet, before summer officially transitions into fall; I can already feel the change in the air, (despite the still-hot temperatures). The change of seasons, is such an integral part of  life, yet it still manages to catch us by surprise.  It’s mysterious and magical when a season begins to change, and in some inexplicable way, it makes me feel closer to God. My senses seem to be more heightened and I feel more aware of life, itself.
So in tribute to my love of summer, and this year’s memories, here’s a look back:

With any season, there are certain things that you only do at that particular time of year, and as I was thinking back to what I’ve done, I was thinking that I really hadn’t done much.

I didn’t go on any extravagant trips, or accomplish any spectacular feat, (as I always dream of). But then I remembered all of the small, seemingly insignificant things that I’d done. And I had to smile to myself, when I realized I hadn’t done “nothing” at all.

Like the fact that I went swimming, in an actual pool. I once vowed that swimming pools were off limits, germaphobe that I am. It was only going to be oceans or some other great, natural body of water. (Both of which I live very far from.) But this year, I found myself neck deep, in a public swimming pool. Not once, but TWICE! I have to admit, though, it wasn’t as bad as I feared, and I actually had fun. Especially because I was able to spend time with my friends and family. And surprisingly, I managed to avoid catching a brain-eating amoeba along the way.
Hooray!

Another unexpected surprise, was my sister convincing me to “camp” OUTSIDE. I’ve never  been camping, and I can’t really say that I’m sorry. The closest I’ve ever come, is sleeping in a hammock, in my backyard. And I never wanted to do that again, simply because I didn’t get any actual sleep at all. Why would I make myself miserable all night, when I have a nice comfy bed, right there; the notion baffled me. Yet at 3 a.m., I found myself in the back of my dad’s pick-up truck, piled with blankets, and pillows, staring into the night. I watched the stars streak their way across the sky, listened to coyotes howling in the hills, and felt the warm summer breeze on my face. While I didn’t get a wink of sleep all night, I did have a lot of fun playing card games, and eating snacks late into night, with my sisters.

Summer is also the time when we harvest fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden. This year happened to be a very good one for peaches. We didn’t get many, but the ones we did get were enormous, and beautiful, and exquisitely delicious. The memory of biting into the sweet, sun soaked fruit is one I won’t soon forget. Nothing beats a summer harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables! I’m just sad I ate them all.

Something I don’t always do, yet is always a treat, is going to an all-American baseball game. Nothing else quite captures the essence of summer, like wading through swarming swathes of people, squeezing into hot crowded seats, and paying for exceedingly overpriced mediocre snacks. Though I’m not a huge fan of baseball, or large crowds, it’s nice to get out and enjoy it for an evening. Especially when fireworks are involved. 

There are dozens of other little things that filled those lurid, summer days. Like climbing onto the roof in the evening, for a bird’s eye view of the neighborhood. Or making late-night runs to the drive through for ice-cream, spending lazy afternoons watching stormclouds march across the horizon, and countless other ramblings.

Whatever shape or size it comes in, summer is one of the most special times of the year. My life varies very little, but it’s the subtle changes that make all the difference. In a few months time, when I’m shivering beneath a blanket, I’ll be able to look back at these fond memories of the time when it was warm, and green. I hope you enjoyed seeing a glimpse of what my summer looked like this year. And no matter what you did, I hope you breathed in deep, and cherished even the tiniest, little flavor(s) of the season.

“For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:10-11  

How about you?  Have you done anything special  this summer? What makes it “summer” for you?

Thank you for reading,

Lady S