Okay, that is bit of a lie. I did not really have a blast this
summer. But it hasn't been completely terrible, either.
Back in early March, I optimistically thought (hoped?) that by staying home when we were told to that everything would be mostly back to normal by summer. While I was still blissfully unaware of the changes that would take place, I envisioned trips I would go on, people I would visit and all sorts of fun activities I would overflow my summer bucket with. In the early weeks of this pandemic, looking ahead and making plans gave me hope and something to look forward to. It would have been much more challenging for me to deal with those dreary, gray months stuck inside if I had not had some sort of normalcy to look forward to. There was also more than a little bit of denial wrapped around those hopes and plans; really, how could I have imagined that this would be life in the 21st century? It seemed inconceivable and unbelievable then, and it still does.
Now, summer is nearly over, life is not back to normal, not even close, who knows when it will be, and I did none of the fun things I imagined I would do. I have been in a bit of funk about it, and one day when I was feeling especially low, I forced myself to think of things that were good this summer.
While the summer of 2020 wasn’t exactly a blast, I did meet
a girl. She is not necessarily crazy for me yet, but she IS crazy!
I also met a boy, cute as can be (my great nephew)
I went strolling.
And more. My feet have hiked trails I never imagined they
would and walked paths and sidewalks through my neighborhood and parks and
conservation areas and along river bluffs in stifling heat and rain and darkness.
I should call this “The Summer of Strolling.” If I can thank COVID for one thing is that I have discovered that I love hiking.
I drank lemonade.
Sort of. I made and drank limoncello, which is kind of lemonade, right? Just in adult beverage form.
No one ran by me and got my suit damp. Not only did my suit not get damp, I didn’t even wear it this summer.
You may not be thinking, “Tell me more, tell me more,” but I will anyway.
I didn’t make out with anyone under a dock, but I sure did stay out past 10 o’clock, almost every night, relaxing on my brand new screened in patio under my deck.
I didn’t have a summer fling, but Oh, those summer nights…
And, I will tell some more! 😊
It is still very much summer and hot here, it typically is through the end of September and sometimes even longer. Yet, signs are clear that fall is quickly approaching: Cooler mornings and evenings, tinges of red and gold on the trees, darkness before 8 PM. By September, I am usually tired of wilting in the heat and humidity and look forward to fall coming, but this year, it has put me in a low mood I have had a hard time snapping out of. I am not looking forward to summer ending, even if it wasn’t a blast, and I am glad that back in March, I was blissfully unaware of what summer 2020 would look like.
A few days ago, I was feeling especially down, and while
trying to drag myself out of my funky mood, I forced myself to write down all
the things I did do and accomplish this summer. Things I might not have
paid any attention to if I had been flitting around from place to place. I
realized that I have found great comfort in routines and predictable things,
and I am grateful for them. When I begrudgingly force myself out of the “I
didn’t get to do anything fun this summer mindset,” I realize there have been many
perfect and lovely and memorable moments, even if they weren’t what I hoped for
months ago. There are still so many things to relish and find solace in.
There have been so many lazy weekend (and weekday) mornings
to play cards and read on my new screened in patio. There have also been slow
evenings filled with conversations over glasses of wine while watching the
sunset and listening to the song of summer cicadas.
Homemade ice cream has churned away on my kitchen counter (more than once!). Vanilla, peach, butter pecan, all drizzled (or drenched, let me be real) with gooey homemade caramel bourbon sauce.
Pots of flowers and herbs have been watered and tended and bloomed and pruned back and tossed out and replanted for fall.
A sunflower field I was not aware even existed until this summer made for a fun getaway for the girls and I one sweltering Friday afternoon.
18 books have been read.
Mouthwatering, juicy tomatoes and peaches and squash and cucumbers and melons from friends and local farms have been consumed in ridiculous amounts in every way they can possibly be consumed—by the bowlful, grilled into sandwiches, baked or fried to crispy perfection, stirred into ice cream.
Outdoor projects have been completed. The best one of all…the previously mentioned screened in patio. It has become my happiest of happy spots. I spent too much
money fixing it up, and I do not feel one tiny shred of guilt about that. I
also spent numerous weekends with Lauren staining our new deck as well as giving
a makeover to my old deck furniture.
Coffee still brews in early, quiet mornings.
Music still relaxes me.
There are still beads to play with
I couldn't go to the beach, so I made one to wear around my neck.
Baking is still my go-to when I need peace and comfort (I am convinced beyond all doubt that the smell of cookies or bread or cake baking can cure all that ails one) So can kneading bread dough and piping fancy frosting onto cupcakes while Elton John plays in the background.
Our family was still able to get together to celebrate and remember the life of my dear, sweet mother in law after she died in July. What we were not able to do made us be creative in ways we may not have thought about in normal times; those things made the day lovely and perfect.
The breeze still blows fresh in my face and the sun still warms and browns my skin, even though I did not get those things from the beach like I wanted to
My favorite restaurants are still here, and perhaps I have enjoyed them more since I get to enjoy them less
There is still Netflix and Amazon Prime and Hulu showing cheesy old movies that take my mind away from my troubles for a few hours (bet ya can’t tell which one I watched more than once this summer!)
In its own weird way, while I didn’t get very far, the summer of 2020 has been full of life and love and beauty woven through the lonely and hard and disappointing. I have learned over these strange, slow months that even the smallest perfect moments can give me hope that everything is going to be okay. Good things are there when I look for them and pay attention to them. I may not have saved anyone’s life, but all of these little things sure did help me save my sanity.
