How Do You Want To Remember Summer, 2010?
Make Wonderful Memories This Summer!
Officially, it isn’t summer until June 21st. For most of us it becomes summer when we no longer have to worry about snow or school. Here in Colorado we can finally say with the poet, James Russell Lowell, “…what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.”
What are you going to do with these perfect days? And what about July and August? I don’t want to be depressing–but you only have about 90 days before you will probably start noticing that it’s no longer summer–it’s approaching autumn. What can you do in the next 90 days to make Summer, 2010 the best ever?
Cherish the summer memories that have meant the most to you. What have been some of the best summers of your life? What are some sights, sounds, smells, tastes and experiences that will always be linked with summer in your mind and heart? (One of mine is of eating watermelon on newspaper on the front porch. Another is the smell of Russian-olive trees and talking on the patio until it got dark.) Is there any way to recreate or share some parts of your best memories?
Enjoy the mornings and evenings. Make the most of the extra hours of warmth, light and bird-songs. Eat breakfast outside. Take the kids (or yourself) for a late evening picnic in a park or in your own yard, on your porch or just the steps. They’ll never forget it!
Make the ordinary seem special. Turn off most of the lights and use candles at dinner; go for walks and purposefully observe the natural world; chill glasses for sun tea; turn off the air conditioner now and then and open windows all the way; make a homemade salad dressing; take your time organizing your garage and make it an interesting, satisfying task instead drudgery you have to finish in a weekend.
Be joyful. Appreciate, say thank you, smile, glow. Even as you sweat while mowing your lawn or working in your garden, be grateful for having a lawn and garden. If you are happy to not have a lawn or garden, mail thank you cards to people you know or don’t know who have worked hard on their flowers or lawns. Notice the workers who make flower displays look so lovely in public settings. Tell them thank you, then write to their employers and express your appreciation–or write to the organization paying for the landscaping and let them know you appreciate their efforts.
Be your most healthful self. Feel better than ever by eating lightly, exercising more and drinking plenty of water. In 90 days you can create a new you or make the currently good you even better. Don’t make it tough work, make it a fun way to celebrate the summer.
Take photos. Promise yourself to chronicle Summer, 2010 with snapshots of people not just scenery. Let them pose and smile or pause and smile, so both you and they will be happy with the results. Take your camera with you everywhere and have people take a photo of you with your family. If you’re on your own, ask someone who looks trustworthy to take your picture. (That will keep you from having every picture show you with your arm outstretched as you photograph yourself!)
Think about how you want to remember Summer, 2010–
then make it happen every day.
The seasons of the year are like the seasons of life–we have no control over their inevitability, just as we don’t have full control over some of the things that bring sorrow, stress or strain on even the sunniest of days. Finding strength may be easier if you can absorb the sunshine, beauty and freshness of all that is around you.
If you are blessed enough to have days without personal tragedy, sorrow or worry, reach out to those who do and help them in any way you can. At work and elsewhere, strengthen relationships while you strengthen your life. Summer is the perfect time for it.
Probably the key to happiness this summer or any other time is to be aware of all it offers and use it well, so you can say:
“The summer of 2010 was wonderful! That was when I……..”
The poet Celia Thaxter said, “There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.”
Have a wonderful summer and make every moment an opportunity for happy, grateful memories!
Your “Summer Song” was a pleasant surprise because I came to your site looking for church security information and thinking about things other than summer. I live in Orlando, with nice weather most of the time (in spite of thunderstorms and humidity). I’m going to link to this post and remind friends to have “Sonshine” in their souls and a “Summer Heart.”
Comment by Charles W. | June 4, 2010
You did it again!Just when I needed a reminder, you came through! For several years I’ve complained that summer came and went and I didn’t even enjoy it. I don’t want that to happen this year and your post reminded me of the need to do something instead of just letting things happen. For starters, this weekend I’m going to fix strawberry shortcake the way my kids like it. I’ll take a picture of them when I serve it!) 🙂 Thank you, Tina. Really, I appreciated your thoughts.
Comment by P.A.H. | June 4, 2010
My best summer memory was in 1998 when I moved back here from Seattle. That summer I helped my mother in her garden, read aloud to my Papa, learned to cook real food, and spent many evenings sitting on the porch with my parents and their neighbors. I can never bring that time back, because my parents are gone now, but I would like to do something almost as good feeling. Thank you for your inspiring words.
Comment by H.M. | June 5, 2010
My baby is due on July 10th, so I think this will be a memorable summer for Dave, Shelley and Bethanne Regina Pryor!
Comment by S.P. | June 5, 2010
You live in Colorado….which makes summer a lot better than if you lived near Laughlin, Nevada like I do. To me Summer is something to get through not to enjoy very much. I’ll try to feel better about it, but it’s hard when a June day is already at 111 degrees and there is at least three months left before the temperatures will drop to a comfortable level. There are some nice days though, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Comment by C.M. | June 6, 2010
Great ideas and excellent reminder. A friend recently moved back from the South and said on Saturday “There’s nothing like summer nights in Colorado”. It’s bittersweet to sit on the patio well after dark and realize how fleeting that opportunity is — in less than 4 months it could be back to huddling inside against the snow and wind!
CM – Maybe you should change the seasons and count your summer as October through April — lucky, you get more months that way!
Comment by SMc | June 7, 2010
Ahhh, summer days and nights. Some states have it reversed so it’s better there in the Winter. But there is something about actual SUMMER time. I’ve traveled in every state many times, so I’ll give you my list of favorite places when the temperature is moderate to warm.
Keep in mind I’m referring to your idea of enjoying life, not just going to work and coming home to TV. The preference is on a patio, deck or porch as you mention, sipping a sippy something and enjoying the air, flowers and feel of summertime. I have other preferences for being by a lake or hiking a hill.
1. Southern California.
2. The Napa Valley region.
2. Colorado Springs, CO. region.
3. Nothern Wyoming, away from the wind.
4. Vermont and that region. Sometimes unbelievably beautiful.
5. South Carolina.
Of course every state can be nice if you’re sitting with friends. But those are my favorites for being a stranger and just enjoying the weather, the scenery and everything else, including the people.
Well, it’s time to load up the RV and get going! We’re in Northern California right now. It’s nice, but doesn’t have the summer feel yet. Headed to Napa Valley. See you at the Retiree Picnic I hope!
Comment by RV | June 15, 2010
Tina says: Oh my, RV, you make me very jealous! All of those places sound wonderful! The Napa Valley area is gorgeous with the wineries. Like some giant landscaping project that is, nevertheless, a crop!
Have a fun and safe time!
Comment by TLR | June 15, 2010