Greetings to Summer!
Summer Is Here!
Whoohoo!
Whoohoo! Summer is here! Summer means freedom — the freedom from coats, caps, gloves … and a grouchy attitude. All fall I know winter is coming. And winter means cold. And cold means snow. And difficulty getting anywhere. And spring is the springboard from winter into being truly free all summer.
Back in the day when I was a teen, all summer I rode my horse across the prairie in wild abandonment. I was free of my parents continuous squabbling. Free from restrictive school days. And free from homework.
Those were glorious days. Days I wished never would end. But then they always did. Only to appear briefly once again, as Indian summer.
Visits with the Sun and Past Summers
These days I’m attached to a walker because of my arthritis. But sometimes I go outside and sit on the wicker seat in the main entrance. And watch the local rabbit eat grass and hear the baby birds chirping to get fed.
And I feel the glorious warmth of the sun. And smile as past summers visit with the sun and me. For the sun reminds me of those moments so long ago when the breeze combed through my hair and the old gal, Sol warmed my face … and I could go anywhere I wanted to.
Be it north, south, east, or west, I was always ready to ride.
Sometimes, I’d head south to the river, where sea gulls called out loudly, “come this way. See where the winds caress the shore.” Or I’d go east where the creek flooded the road and wade through the bulging waters that wound south to my uncle Frank’s farm.
Other times I’d go north to town where I’d rest my horse in my grandma Clara’s old chicken coop and visit with my grandma until I was rested up for the nine mile ride back home.
And at other times I’d go west and see if Laurel’s mother would let her ride her horse so we could ride the hills of their pasture together. And even though Laurel couldn’t ride with me, at least I got to visit for a while and dream that maybe someday she would.
Lost in Monumental Memories
Today, I lose myself in monumental memories of those summers spent on the farm. I remember the smell of lilacs blooming in the yard and the scent of hollyhocks that popped up near the cement steps that led into our living room.
And I remember the summer we found duck eggs and dad put them in a nest in the basement with a light close by to keep them warm. And when the duck eggs hatched, I remember feeding grain to three fuzzy ducklings all summer. And taking them outside and putting water in the wading pool so they could swim.
And I remember with sadness when they got big enough to fly … and flew away without a backward glance.
Summer is a time of being free to roam your memories. Free to grab onto precious moments, moments that last a lifetime, even if only in your mind.
Summers Of Making Memories
Summer is the time to make those memories, memories of moments that fill you up with happiness and joy and utter amazement of all the blessings God bestows upon you.
Moments like riding horse to town on the fourth of July with your boyfriend. And riding in the fourth of July parade. And participating in the fourth of July horse events. Even winning a ribbon in the barrel racing.
Moment of planting a garden. And pulling up weeds in the hot sun. And eating peas from the pods and digging up carrots, wiping the dirt off them, and eating them raw, straight from the garden.
Summer is the time to experience the glory of living. Living in a land where it’s okay to be young and alive and full of exuberant energy. Where it’s okay to have fun and live your life without fear of something always going wrong.
Where it’s not only okay, but right to feel emotionally carefree, knowing that sense of freedom is real, and that nobody can take it away from you.
Remembering Life Goes on
Summer is a time to remember that life is going on, and will continue to go on. To remember that even when summer is gone, another summer will eventually appear on the horizon. For the sun always comes up in the east, and no sooner has summer ended than another one comes creeping up out of nowhere, seeking you out, just to see if you remember her and all those summers past.
So, when you greet summer every day, smile. For the warmth of her sun has you covered. And always will.