Summertime and the Living is Easy

I don’t know why but at the start of every summer, the song “Summer Time and the Living is Easy,” starts playing in my head. Ella Fitzgerald sings my favorite version of this song. Oh and Sublime does a great remix.

Summer always makes me feel at ease and a little wild. Rules go out the door. Well, some of the rules. And the worries of homework, bedtimes, and school activities vanish into non-existent. I see the same feelings come over my son’s face when he charges into the home after the last day of school. In hopes of playing endless video games and drinking Shirley Temples every day. 

Our summer includes beach days, traveling and summer concerts on the beach. And these summer plans will include magical and wild moments of courage, quiet and discovery. Watching my son and his friends run into the choppy, unpredictable waves of the Pacific can be a little unsettling to my nerves. But I see their faces full of no fear and laughter and I just want to capture the moment. I want to keep that moment to remind myself of who I was at his age. No fear. And for my son to look at one day in his life to remind him that he had no fear. Watching my son float in the ocean in Kauai seems to bring such peace and quiet to his mind. Its though nothing else exists. I want to capture that moment and show him the peace and try to get him to go back to that moment when he is stressed. Watching my son bopping his head when he discovers a  new song and tries to recognize the notes makes my heart full of pride and amazement of his talents.  I want to capture those moments to keep so my heart won’t burst when he starts his journey into the world without me.

Whether you have a toddler, a tween or a graduating senior, capture those magical, wild summer moments. Get close to their faces and notice those long lashes and sun-kissed freckles. Give them some space and let them discovery some independence and solitude. Let them go to the front of the stage and watch as the summer wildness comes dancing out them.