SUMMERTIME, NOW & FOREVER

By Carmen Greger

As the final vestiges of spring fold into the warm embrace of summer, there’s an undeniable sense of magic in the air. Summer is rolling in like the wave of an ocean, gently crashing into the shore, cleansing our spirits, and washing away the remnants of the colder months. The arrival of summertime signals a season of endless blessings, a wealth of opportunities, and the potential for adventure that stretches as far as the sun-drenched horizon.

Summer’s symphony plays a delightful tune in our hearts. Its music reaches out to us in the lazy buzz of cicadas, the rustle of leaves caught in a warm breeze, the far-off jingle of the ice cream truck. Its essence permeates our senses, a celebration of life’s vibrant hues, fragrant blooms, and mouthwatering flavors – all wrapped up in the tender warmth of the sun.

The promise of summer breathes life into the dormant adventurer within us, stirring our yearning for the wild and the free. Each day under its benevolent reign offers the chance to be explorers of our own destinies, the masters of our own stories.

Walking barefoot on the sandy shore, we ground ourselves with every step.

The sand, heated by the sun, becomes a natural, pulsing connection to the earth below us.

The ocean, the mighty epitome of nature’s raw strength, engulfs our worries and the stresses of the past, leaving us centered, cleansed, and invigorated.

This communion with nature is not just a pastime, but a potent healing force, a moment of spiritual cleansing and rejuvenation that bolsters our inner strength.

Consider the joyous dance of dolphins in the vast sea, as they mirror our own exuberance, our own sense of freedom. They seem to whisper a sage lesson – that life is meant to be relished, savored, and joyfully embraced.

Soaring seagulls echo the same, their mirthful cries a testament to the innate joy in simple existence. As they ride the summer thermals, we too are swept up in a sense of liberation and unbridled joy.

The allure of sailing the seas in whatever form it takes on that particular day draws us into summer’s vibrant tapestry, where we become characters in our own adventure-filled narratives. Yachting, Kayaking, SUP and jet-skiing blend an organic adrenaline rush with the intoxicating beauty of nature, offering an unrivaled experience that summer so generously presents.

And who could resist the enticing call of the sparkling waters? Swimming is not just an act of cooling off, but a dance with nature, a journey of self-discovery, a moment of primal connectivity. The gentle splash of water against our skin, the refreshing embrace of the sea – these are simple summer joys that enrich our lives beyond measure.

Under the twinkling canopy of a summer night sky, we find solace in stargazing, tracing constellations, dreaming up stories among the distant stars. This shared experience, this exploration of the vast universe, nurtures the bonds between us, as families, as lovers, as friends.

It’s during these summer days we watch the kids play with buckets and shovels with the intent of building the most spectacular sandcastle by far, we remember the innocence of holding our partner’s hand for a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, collecting shells, the remnants of the sea’s timeless song.

These are moments of simple, honest presence, our joy and the beauty of love and the potency of sweet romance, the kind that Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta immortalized in their timeless anthem: “Summer lovin’, had me a blast; summer lovin’, happened so fast…Those summer nights.”

Bike riding through the winding trails, the feeling of freedom blowing in our hair, the smell of blooming flowers mixing with the fresh air; these sensations mark the passage of summer days. The chiming laughter from bonfires sparks joy and nostalgia as families and friends gather, sharing stories that reflect the glow in their eyes. These gatherings, full of warmth and camaraderie, become emblematic of summer’s generous spirit.

There is a unique luxury that summer bestows upon us: the freedom to relax, decompress, and set our rhythm to the pace of time. To lie back on a hammock and lose oneself in the pages of a book, or to just let your mind wander with the rustling dune grass. It is a season of sighing relief, a season where our alarm clocks can finally be silenced, replaced by the soft morning light filtering through the windows, and the sweet serenade of birds.

The joy of summer is as vast as the ocean, its wonders as countless as the grains of sand on a beach. It is in the thrilling exhilaration of parasailing high above the shimmering sea. It is in the tranquil satisfaction of casting a line and fishing in the calm early morning waters, bathed in the golden sunrise. It’s in the thrill of catching a perfect wave, a testament to one’s harmony with nature, a moment where the surfer and the sea become one.

Summer paints vibrant memories, immortalizing fleeting moments. Remember the thrill as the ice cream truck turns into your street, its jingling tune a herald of sweet, cooling delights. Or the comforting simplicity of sharing a cone with a loved one, cherishing the sticky drips of vanilla as they race down your fingers.

As the sun dips below the horizon, the soft murmur of the ocean is accompanied by the crackling of a bonfire. It’s a time of shared stories, whispered secrets, and an increasing closeness that the warm, summer nights gently foster. The fire, a symbol of our own inner warmth and passion, dances in tandem with the rhythmic beating of our hearts, under the star-studded vault of the night sky.

This summer magic is not a far-off fairy tale, nor a dream that fades with the dawn. It is real. It is tangible. And it awaits us at every corner, in every beam of sunlight, every ripple on the water, every gust of balmy air.

The radiant spirit of summer, like an unending wave, brings with it a surge of happiness, of love, of togetherness, and a promise of wonderful days filled with laughter, warmth, and discovery.

As we savor these blessings, we begin to understand the true essence of summer, the deep resonance of the familiar words – “Those summer nights.” Yes, indeed, those summer nights are more than just a season; they are a state of mind, a way of life, an eternal echo of joy and warmth that lingers long after the last rays of the summer sun have kissed the horizon goodbye.

Let us celebrate summer’s arrival each and every year and let’s honor the day it comes to its annual close by committing to keep its spirit alive with vivid memories of the season until it arrives again.

Let us embrace summer’s beauty, cherish its joys, and carry its radiant spirit within us through the year. For in doing so, we not only honor this majestic season but also discover our own potential to shine as brightly as the summer sun through Fall, Winter and Spring as well.

Dreaming of Summertime…

When the chorus of cicadas greets the break of dawn, And the dew-kissed petals of the roses newly born, Raise their blushing faces to the sun’s radiant light, Then you know, it’s the dawn of summer’s delight.

The sunflowers sway in the golden embrace, As zephyrs whisper through the lace, Of emerald leaves rustling in the soft summer breeze, Carrying the scent of adventure over the seas.

Cotton-candy clouds, afloat in the azure sky, While sunbeams on waves endlessly glide, The orchestra of the ocean plays a lullaby, As seagulls pirouette and dolphins leap high.

The dance of the daisies in the meadow’s heart, A ballet of beauty, summer’s art. Ripe peaches drip with nectar sweet, And the world seems perfect, truly replete.

Summer paints with a palette bold and bright, From the sapphire day to the amethyst night. Hear the jingle of the ice cream van, around the bend, A familiar tune, an old-time friend.

Barefoot walks on the warm, sandy beach, As the ocean’s melody is within reach. Collecting seashells, like pearls of the sea, the simple joys of being free!

The rush of the river, the rustle of the reed, Summer’s song, a soothing creed. Basking in the sun, or beneath a shady tree, Sipping lemonade, as cool as a sea breeze.

Bonfires crackle under the star-spangled veil, Sparking stories, each a fairy tale. The taste of roasted marshmallows, sweet and light, the pure magic of those summer nights.

When moonlight dances on the tranquil lake, And the world seems quieter, for summer’s sake, That’s when you feel, in the softest sigh, The embrace of summer, under the vast night sky.

So breathe in the season, with its flavors and hues, In the heart of summer, you’ll find life’s muse. With the kiss of the sun and the touch of the breeze, Summer is healing, a moment of ease.  -Anonymous