The Goodness of Summer

Living in the northeastern United States brings a treasure of natural and cultural delights. Four distinct seasons extreme from each other in many ways, most anticipated enthusiastically, arriving usually later than we wish while sometimes wearing out their welcome, staying too long. But, always perfectly executed year after year. I adore this.

Typically, we love some aspects and dislike (hate?) others - the extremes I suppose. Still, I find there is always something of each to enjoy. 

Every season shines in some way during its turn in the calendar year. This is a reflection of the wonderful, delightful diversity of our Creator God's fingerprints. What He's lavished out for our enjoyment and pleasure.

It's no secret that winter is my favorite season for so many reasons I won't get into today lest I dampen the summer lovers' current bliss. When summer humidity suffocates, burns the color out of the grass, and forces me indoors to the relief of air conditioning, this is only underscored. 

However, I have lived enough years to know loving one but not the other, doesn't diminish the value or the gifts to behold in the lesser-loved. These can be enjoyed without hypocrisy. And they should be - with gratitude even!

That's what's on my mind today - the stuff that's been bringing me much joy in my not favorite season. The things that aren't to be found any other time of the year - that scream "summer"! 

What better way for a Type A observer to pay attention and squeeze out the wonder than keeping a list? 

• a baseball game with fireworks at dusk on a warm (not muggy) night
• a small town Main Street lined with red, white and blue flags 
• aged veterans saluting 4th of July parades, kids scampering for candy 
• kindergarten graduations (even if your beloved firstborn granddaughter wants to be a rockstar - not a missionary)
• country drives boasting fields and hills lush with green grass and trees bursting with leaves (and the wonder of how they die, fall off and replenish every year)
• boat rides on an Adirondack lake
• flip flops and no coats
• neighbors with green thumb excellence - hello gorgeous color bursting zinnias!
• slow, evening marital walks
• cool pool or lake water on hot, brown shoulders
• a barbecue at a friend's pool; dinner eaten on a red gingham tablecloth covered picnic table
• meeting outside with the Lord early every morning for Bible reading and prayer
• marveling at how a robin builds a nest in my hanging fern, fills it with gorgeous blue eggs, sitting on them until babies are born soon thereafter (the thrill wearing off when Mommy and Daddy Bird chase me off MY porch for days until their littles are ready to fly. Not cool.)
• thunderstorms at dusk - or anytime
• garage sales
• the sounds of owls hooting high above, roosters announcing morning and birds singing their praise to God - all before 6am
• graduation parties 
• ice cream stands on every corner - endless soft serve flavors with sprinkles or a hot fudge/pb sundae splurge
• grandchildren with bubbles
• vegetable stands and farmer's markets - locally grown delicious produce
• summer foods - corn on the cob, strawberry rhubarb anything, hot dogs, burgers, deviled eggs, watermelon, salt potatoes
• campfires and s'mores
• grandbaby in cute hat experiencing a pool for the first time
• marshmallow fights with my grown-up kids, while their littles giggle at the spectacle and join in
• the hum and relief of a window air conditioner and fan on steamy nights
• 80's beach music (The Cars, Huey Lewis and the News, Beach Boys, anyone?)
• neighbors not seen in other seasons, walking by, saying, "Hello, how are you?"
• outdoor amphitheater concerts
• hikes and picnics in parks
• vacation time off work
• sunsets when the moon can't wait for dark to start shining
• women fanning themselves during a Sunday morning worship service
• skipping evening tv to read in rocking chairs on the porch with my husband
• bike rides, wind in my hair (summer novels - so fun!)
• any meal eaten outside - shouldn't they all be? 

And that's just a few. :) I bet you could add some too. 

When my kids were growing up (and still today) I've been known to say from April to October: "Get outside - winter's coming!" This not to rush the summer by, but rather to exhort, "let's enjoy what the glorious outdoors offers before we are driven inside by cooler (cold, frigid) temperatures and conditions (glorious snow!)".

It's easy to complain about the undesirables in each season, isn't it? They really get under our skin. Mosquitoes pestering and biting, walking through invisible spider webs, (have I mentioned humidity?), sunburns, road construction, etc. 

But to find the thrills? To squeal with delight at the wonder God has given to us in June, July and August? This belongs to the wise and curious who know this season will end, the next one right on its heels. Happens every year without fail. Why not squeeze all the good out of the one you're firmly planted in?

Sometimes I even welcome the notion that one can't fully enjoy the wonder of winter unless summer has sweat us ready. Same going the other way - how can one enjoy summer to the full if not having survived a frigid winter? Call me crazy.

You get the idea. The joy comes with being grateful for everything today brings. So much to notice and thank the Lord for!

Feel free to add some of your summer joys in the comments. We've still got about half way to go!

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