Summer Is Here
Summer is finally here!
My youngest graduated 8th grade last Friday and when I woke up this morning, my first thought, “I don’t have to make any lunches!” The morning was all mine, at least until the first child stumbled down the stairs. And having 3 teenagers means no one makes an entrance until 10 and they are old enough to be told to make their own breakfast! Now don’t get me wrong, life is more chaotic as their schedules are much looser, but it seems a small price to pay for all summer brings.
I love summer. And I have been mulling over what it is about summer I like so much. I relish the warmer weather and the longer days. I love making our annual trek to the east coast. I enjoy the change in routine and the sense of freedom summer implies. And I love the lightness and joyfulness which seem to belong exclusively to summer.
However, upon reflecting deeper, I realized what I love the most is the intentionality with which I approach summer. Every summer is different, but each has an almost military precision to it. A sense not a moment is to be wasted.
Living Intentionally
I am trying to live more intentionally in every aspect of my life. Sometimes I am more successful than others. But I recognize time is the most precious resource. It can easily slip away, one moment blurring into the next, and suddenly days, weeks, and months have disappeared.
Perhaps it is the finiteness of summer which makes me approach it with such intentionality. A desire to make the time special. To make it count.
To that end, one of the reasons I love summer on the East Coast is the enthusiasm with which people embrace June, July, and August. Summer has its own rhythm and traditions. Be it casual Fridays at work (OK, every day might seem like Friday now), summer-only friends, swooning over New Jersey tomatoes and peaches, going to the beach club, or like my father-in-law, eating corn on the cob every night for dinner.
These are all activities to be savored as they only happen in summer. I wonder, “Why don’t we apply the same intentionality to the rest of the year?
My Summer Intentions
I want to wake up on the Tuesday after Labor Day and know I squeezed every drop of goodness and adventure from June, July, and August. This doesn’t mean cramming more into any given day or trying to do more (see last week) but it does mean being thoughtful how I spend my free time. So, here is what I am planning…
Taking time to travel
Planning a summer adventure with my husband is one of my favorite parts of summer. One year it was Alaska, one year it was Big Sky (Montana), and this year it is Spain and France.
Spending time with family
Whether it is attending my nephew’s wedding or visiting my in-laws, I look forward to reconnecting with everyone and catching up on the last year.
I also want to play endless games of ping pong and bumper pool with my kids…could this be the year I beat them?
Reading
I’ve been collecting books for the last couple of months and am about to dive into the summer stack. I can’t wait to sit in an Adirondack chair on the porch in upstate New York and devour book after book.
Being Grateful
I’m going to let the sun be my alarm clock and be happy to wake a little earlier and have the extra minutes in my day.
Spending Time Outside
I want to take advantage of the warm weather and longer days to dine outside, read on the porch, take long walks, and paddle board.
I’m going to waterski as much as possible. I love to ski first thing in the morning when the lake is still, and the sun is bouncing off the water. Pure heaven!
I’m going to jump in the lake every morning, no matter the temperature or the weather (I can see Geoff rolling his eyes right now as I HATE cold water).
And I am going to play lots of golf with Geoff, early before everyone else is awake.
Going to Burning Man
The perfect end to a perfect summer.
Parting Thought
What about you? What intentions do you have for the summer?
“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ~ Henry James
See you next week…
