"So Many Summers", a song by country singer Brad Paisley, struck a chord with me recently. As an artist, he creates beautiful word pictures with his music. I have many favorite memories of summer.
There's nothing longer than the final afternoon of school before summer vacation. The hours tick by slowly until the final bell rings. Yee haw! Little League. Trips to the lake. The anticipation and nerves of summer camp. Days spent swimming and sunning on the dock. Learning how to water ski behind Papa's boat. Sunburns and s'mores. Hours spent by the fire listening to the memories of those decades older. Tubing with the cousins. Sandcastles. Trampoline forts. Sleepovers at Grandma's.
"You only get so many summers."
Watermelon picnics by the pool. Swimming lessons. Crazy Eights and Kings in the Corner at Grandma's table. Pass the Pig. Fresh corn and green beans from the garden. How many ways can you cook zucchini? Trying to tip over and submerge the floating dock. Fishing with the uncles. Baptisms and potlucks at the water's edge. Pancakes, scrambled eggs and cinnamon rolls on the barbeque. Star gazing and fireworks. The smell of a sun warmed towel dried on the line. Bocce ball on the lawn. Wet dogs drying on the dock.
"You only get so many summers."
Babysitting jobs because you need money more than a tan. Baseball games.
Lifeguarding gig because you need money and a tan. Mowing lawns to fill the gas tank. Cleaning houses to buy books at college. The summers evolve into balancing the freedom of the season with the reality of adulting. School supply lists morph into dorm assignments and class schedules. Vacations now must be planned months in advance with the strategy of a war campaign.
"You only get so many summers."
Savor the giggles. Take time to blow the bubbles. Climb in the fort and read the kids a book. Soak in the peace of waves lapping against the shore. Connect with a friend over a cold drink on the porch. Schedule that vacation with your family. Take a mental health day. Blow bubbles. Watch the clouds. Like the lyrics in the song reminded me, "you only get so many summers." Make them count.
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