Summertime is very special! It is the most care-free of all the seasons. I suppose it is the memory of my childhood with the expectations of the free and happy days at the end of the school year that continues to evoke that anticipation. Those were long ago Summer days when there were no schedules to meet............just get out of bed and spend the entire day enjoying being young, happy and looking forward to each day.. There were, of course, some small chores to be done, but most of the time, I could play with my friends, swim in the city pool, have sleep-overs with my city cousins, and of course, count on the usual Saturday morning movies. It was a time of neighborhood softball games, Popsicles, bike rides or lazy afternoons reading a good book. There were, of course, the occasional rainy days or storms, and that was when Mom would bring the hundreds of comic books stored in the closet to read.
I feel fortunate to have been a child during the time when parents were wise and knew it was best for children to learn play on their own. We were not obligated to go to Summer camp, or join the local baseball or softball team, nor were we scheduled for other activities at that time. "Helicopter" parents would belong to the future generation....my parents believed in "freedom play" for the child!! The only thing I can remember that was "mostly mandatory" was Vacation Bible School." Everyone looked forward to that, even it it did mean we had to forfeit some of our mornings.
It was a time without the distraction of T.V., digital and high-tech. We only had our imaginations to rely on. One only needed to find six or eight neighborhood kids to have a game or some sort of adventure without the interference of parents. Living in the rural area of Caldwell County felt safe and secure. All the bad happenings were "up North" or somewhere else in the world. Mom was always at home, Dad was at work, and on Summer nights the windows were open to the coolness of the night and the doors left open with only the screen door latched.
So once again, Summer is here! As with those long removed days, I am anticipating the joys that it will bring. We began our 2013 Summer with a Memorial Day week-end with some of our family members. These days, I am still fortunate to have those grandchildren and great grandchildren to spend my Summers with. We are looking forward to two weeks at the beach in July. One week with Lee's children, and one week with my children. We cherish these times and always look forward to each week.
There is more work to do during our Summer months now. Lee loves to have a garden, and so far, his garden is beautiful with the promise of a bounty of harvested vegetables and fruits! He is enjoying his strength and his endurance to be able to complete his work in the garden. We will spend a major part of June, July and August canning the green beans and tomatoes, freezing corn and other vegetables. If we are fortunate enough to miss a Summer storm with hail, there will be peaches and apples. Our harvesting season will end with the wonderful muscadines, when, in additon to rewarding us with sweet nectar, will remind us of the next season......Fall. Refreshing and beautiful Fall!
I suppose in my reflections, all I am really trying to say is that life today, the memories of yesterday, and the promise of days to come are all part of the blessings of life and all it has to offer. And so it is, that we will continue to greet each season of the year with the same excitement; because we know that when it passes, there will only be the memories. So it is, that we will keep those memories joyful, tuck them away in that part of our memory to be recalled again and again.
On June 23rd. We will celebrate Lee's three-year anniversary of his new lung! We will leave the latter part of the week for our annual July 4th vacation with the family. Life is a celebration! Happy Summer All!
More Later....................................Brenda
No comments:
Post a Comment