Today’s post is a break for me and you from pondering life’s bigger challenges – structural racism, the 2024 elections, and the many other challenges we face daily.  Summer has always been and continues to be a time to take a break and appreciate.  Here are some reflections on recent summer observations.

Nature seems to have a lot more to say in the summer. The birds chirp in so many languages and with such beauty. I’m torn between the mystery of not knowing what kind of bird is talking to me, and downloading the app that tells me what bird is singing what note. So far, I am resisting, and enjoying not knowing.

The color of the sky and the movement of the clouds exceed the world’s beautiful paintings for inspiration. Sometimes the sky is a solid silky blue, at other times little puffs of white break up the blue, and yet at other times, there is so much grey and white as to blot out the blue.  I become childlike when I swim on my back and make up stories based on the clouds’ shapes and movements!

For me, swimming outside is so much more fun than indoor swimming! Last night, I was tired and frustrated by some of life’s complexities. The temperatures here and across the country are rising rapidly so the pool’s water warms more quickly than normal. Yet miraculously, last evening the pool was cool and soothing as I dived in. There was a light breeze. It was a little after 6 and the sun was still beaming through the trees. I changed my routine to do extra backstrokes so I could feel the sun mingling with the cooling water and breeze. The sky was pure blue and melted away my frustrations. It seemed pretty close to heaven!

As for the flowers and the garden, I am blessed with a wife who loves gardening. Our little rowhouse in Greenbelt is adorned with flowers and plants. The hydrangeas are in bloom. We have one bush that combines a bright pink, a deep purple, a bright blue and a hybrid of several colors all in one bush. Who says there is not some power greater than us humans that enjoys nurturing and entertaining us with all the gifts of nature?

Geraldine has embraced plant-based eating; she’s growing as many vegetables as she can which keeps me healthy! I take delight in watching her pleasure as she checks on her cherry tomato plants. She watches the yellow buds turn to little green things, which become bright red tomatoes. This same miracle is happening with her other plantings in our community garden.  The squirrels and birds sometimes enjoy a snack at our garden’s expense.  But that’s part of summer too, isn’t it?

Being outside, feeling the warmth of the sun and the breeze that offers relief, watching the rain clouds come in and water the grass and flowers – nature’s gifts are abundant.  I keep my eyes open for them.

And yet, that is only part of the delights of the summer. There are so many ways that we get to come together with people we love. Father’s Day brought our four children, their spouses and 7 of our 8 grandchildren together at our home.  How blessed I am as a dad!  All our children live in the Baltimore-Washington area, and I am delighted when we can all get together.  As I age, I am more and more aware of my simple job – let in all the love that is around me, and pass it on as best I can. Nothing soothes the soul like watching our grandchildren playing together – teens in high school and college, five-year-olds, and twins who are six months old. It’s great to see their parents hanging out. There is something divine about the human family.  

Summertime brings friends from out of town visiting for a few days, and gatherings for weddings and beach trips, and special vacations. It brings opportunities to hang out with those we love, and savor how sweet life is.

How’s your summer going? Where are you seeing the gifts?