Joys of June & July

It’s a rainy lazy Sunday afternoon here in Augusta. Van Morrison, who I am convinced was created for days like these, is streaming through my little Bose sound dock. The rain is drizzling. His voice is soothing, offering the just-right setting for a little reflection on the months of June and July.

I don’t believe they could have been filled with more joy. We kicked it off with a family vacation in Tennessee. My parents rented a fabulous cabin in the Smoky Mountains. It was one of those places where you just wanted to dwell forever. With a National park, an aquarium and an eight mile loop of arts and crafts, we had enough opportunity to keep Will, Dad and everyone in between, very entertained. At night we played games of Scrabble with the girls and Will. One may note that we obviously made up the rules as we went along. (Bottom right corner of the board, you’ll find Claire’s word: “E-i-e-i-o”). Dad loved the hot tub. Will did, too…standing outside it, of course…not in it. With blueberries in the backyard and trails winding all through the National park, nature was at our fingertips. We had a great time!

A few weeks later as the calendar flipped to July, Ann and Claire came for a visit. Click here and here for all of that fun. I loved having them here. They are in that sweet place: no longer little girls, not yet teenagers, but someplace in between. We would find ourselves rolling in silliness one moment and then conversing with such depth the next. Claire would ask things like, “Aunt Julie, what are some things that you know you don’t like, but you know we have to have?” Ann helped translate by clarifying, “You know, like pollen…you don’t like it, but bees and flowers need it.” And for the next 10 minutes we discuss those things that appear to be evil, but exist for our good…like bedtimes, parental discipline, and chores. And I realize this is a conversation they will have the rest of their lives. Aunt Julie has it all time. Inconveniences and boundaries so often seem to get in the way of living, but more often than not, they really do exist for our good. No doubt, we all agreed on some unmistakably GOOD things: make-up, museums, and movies (preferably of the drive-in type) to name a few!

"Summertime, and the livin' is easy." ~Gershwin