The Summer of...
So it is July 6th, and I'm sitting here writing a 'this in the summer…' post when the summer is almost half over. Although, here in the desert southwest, summer isn't really over until Halloween (I kid, but only partially)!
The past year, especially the last six months, has been filled with the both/and of a creator. Both the desire and itching to write again and the being scared of what might come out. When I read a Substack post this morning (by Annelise Roberts, which Krista Steele inspired), I was moved to put a toe back out into the writing pond and go for it. When your heart, soul, mind, and fingers can no longer contain the words, they must go somewhere. So, I'm starting with my version of this is the summer of.
This is the summer of…
I want to let the memory-making override the exhaustion because we have only so many summers left, and I want to leave behind memories and stories to be shared. Because time spent at a loud indoor water park is far more precious than time spent trying to avoid the noise (and so many people!)
This is the summer of more girl's days at the resort pool (thank you, Resort Pass), more evenings with tableside guac and salsa and a hefty margarita because these women mean more than I can put into words, and I have fought my whole life to have 'kindred spirit friends. The laughter that brings us to tears is worth more than my weight in gold, and they sometimes know me better than I know myself. Saying 'yes' to them is always worth it, and tipping for the tableside guac makes us all mindful of having cash in our pockets!
This is the summer of not being afraid to ask questions. The questions about a faith built on rules and regulations but lacking in the gifts of grace and mercy. The questions about the questions: Is it okay to have questions? The questions about why, how come, or what about. The questions about politics over people and winning over wonder. The question about, is it really so much safer to live inside of a box of my own comfort and preferences rather than step out of that comfort and actually live a life filled with adventure, compassion, and service? The questions about the cost of conformity versus curiosity and building connections with those who believe differently than I do. This is THAT summer.
This is the summer to enjoy the ice cream bars while also learning to appreciate the gym. To smile at the reflection in the mirror as she sweats and struggles, knowing that this body has carried two children and the bone-crushing weight of losing them both in very different manners. To show appreciation for this body and mind, which are far from perfect, they bear me up daily and walk through the presence of illness and darkness that keep me constant company. The summer I will not shame this human shell, but encourage it and thank it for what it has done, is doing, and will do for me – even when that might be out of my well-crafted plans for life!
This is the summer of learning about Minecraft, Pokémon, and Fortnite. I want to enjoy the smile on a 10-year-old's face as he explains the intricacies and nuances of games that are far beyond my comprehension. The summer to step into conversations with him that often leaves me laughing, sad, or just plain confused. To enjoy treats for dinner, fancy 'drinks' at the restaurants, or the simplicity of root beer with nugget ice while floating in the pool.
This is the summer of romance. Of holding hands more than not holding hands. Of appreciating the things that drive me crazy because, in the beginning, those were the things that drew us together, the things that made us fall in love. This is the summer of noticing the wrinkles and the gray hairs. Of appreciating how far we have come by the grace of God and what we have gone through…the weight of which would have crushed many. That is not lost on us; this is the summer of honoring the gift of surviving the storms.
This is the summer of fancy cheeses, bottles of wine, and flowers from Trader Joe's. This is the summer I stop not buying things because I can't taste or smell them. So what? I know they were beautiful when I could taste and smell; that hasn't changed. This is the summer of enjoying the things that have always been enjoyable.
This is the summer I stop beating myself up for not having a perfect house. To allow grace and time for my decisions and creative heart to land on a paint color or a design style. It is okay.
This is the summer to live each moment as the gift that it is. Breathe in…breathe out…
