Summer Meditations

Andrea here . . . meditating on summer and what it means to me. In the United States, today marks the unofficial start of the summer season. With COVID -19, we don’t really know what the next few months will bring—though it’s pretty certain that Summer 2020 will very different from those in recent memory. We’re all feeling our way through the challenges, trying to inch here and there toward 'normal', as we wonder what 'normal' will be like going forward.

As someone who writes romance, I believe in resilience of the human spirit, and the power of love and friendship to help us triumph over adversity. So I do think we’ll find a way overcome all the terrible things so many of us are facing right now. But I think it’s also part of human nature to be a little nostalgic, and as summer is traditionally a time of long, lazy days in which to slow down and reflect, I got to thinking about some of the things I’ll miss this coming summer.

I’ll miss the sense of spontaneity, which to me is a key element of summer. It’s fun to decide on the spur of the moment to grab a beach blanket and go read on the beach. But these days, one needs to temper impulse with planning and timing.

I’ll miss the traditional rituals of summer in New England, like my small town’s funky little Fourth of July parade, which draws people to set up their lawn chairs on the grass while children take delight in the youthful tradition of selling lemonade from homemade stands.

I’ll miss the festive summer beach dinners for the major holiday dates in the season, where families gather at tables set up in the sand to feast on hot dogs, hamburgers and cake. As dusk falls, there’s often music on the beach pavilion porch, where everyone—from toddlers to their grandparent—dances to the beat of summer golden oldies.

I’ll miss traveling. Summer is usually the time I try to take a big trip, especially overseas . . . recent trips have been to England, where I loved exploring Oxford and London, and to Switzerland, for hiking in spectacular beauty of the Alps. But this summer, flying feels pretty iffy. So likely I’ll be sticking close to home. Which is fine, but I think what I’ll really miss is the sense that exploring is possible—that at the drop of the hat, I could choose to pack up a duffle bag and zip away to somewhere exotic. Now, the world seems so much . . . smaller.

I’ll miss just picking up the phone and suggesting inpromptu gathering on the beach for a glass of wine with friends, or taking a picnic somewhere. Those things may be possible, but will be more regimented as to locations and numbers. I’ll also miss those casual hugs one exchanges when getting together with friends. Those physical connections, however brief, are emotionally important. However, we’re all being much more careful.

And I suppose ‘careful’ sums up in a nutshell how we all are approaching life these days It’s of course, wise, but I can’t help but feel that mindset changes—however slightly—that ‘anything is possible’ sense of exploration.

To end on a more upbeat note, there have been some silver linings in the dark clouds. My college roommates and I started having Saturday morning Zoom chats during lockdown and are having such fun together that we plan on keeping it up. I also talk on the phone with my family a lot more often. The pandemic has heightened the awareness not to take the meaningful people in my life for granted.

I find myself paying even more attention to the simple beauties of Nature and the everyday world around me. I’m more mindful of all the little things that add texture and color to life—and am very thankful for that.

So, for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, what traditions or activities will you miss in the upcoming summer? And for those of you in the Southern hemisphere, what will you miss about the upcoming winter? Have you found any silver linings in these current stresses? Please share!

Comments

[Donna H.]

I will miss going to a baseball game and cheering on my team. Going down to the lake and having a hamburger or hot dog at my favourite burger joint. Parades and marching bands. Fireworks displays over the lake. But there still will be crickets and cicadas and song birds and flowers. And beautiful warm, sunny weather hopefully.

[Gina Murrow]

I miss the hugs most of all. I got to see my grandkids for the first time last night since January. We did give hug greetings at the beginning, after carefully washing our hands, and that joyful feeling of having my 5-year-old grandson literally throwing himself into my arms and wrapping all arms and legs around me brought tears to my eyes. I'm still floating with the memory of it.

Silver linings: I've had friends I haven't talked to in years reach out and call just to make sure I was o.k. I've done the same for other friends. My 84-year-old aunt and I talk by phone often now. And other artists friends and I have begun painting together outside (plein air painting) on a regular basis. We're finding ways to make it work.

Love conquers all things.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Andrea, this is all so true on so many counts. Summer is usually a time of ease and spontaneity, but this year--not so much. The world doesn't seem so much small as TOO FAR AWAY! I don't know when we'll next do grand adventure trip. And if I lived in a New England town like yours, I'd miss all the community traditions, too!

On the plus side--such gorgeous pictures! All taken by you, I suspect? Thank you for sharing.

[Andrea Penrose]

Donna, yes, baseball and hot dogs and fireworks! Iconic moments of summer. Hopefully, we'll slowly get back the those simple pleasures,

[Andrea Penrose]

Gina, the grandkid hug must have been beyond special.

And your artist group painting together outside is wonderful! Adversity makes us all improvise, and good things come out of it. So many of us are connecting with friends more often, and that's really a good thing.

[Andrea Penrose]

Yes, too far away is right! Sorry you've had your gran adventuring halted for now. Hopefully it will begin again in the not too distant future.

And yes, all the pics are ones I've taken. I look forward to snapping more fun ones not just within walking distance of home!

[Kareni]

Your pictures are indeed lovely, Andrea; thank you for them and the rather poignant post.

For the past eighteen years, we've celebrated moving to our current home with our own independence day (not July 4) barbecue to which we've invited family; we're not sure whether or not it will happen in these days of social distancing. We shall see.

I'm not sure what happened to spring this year, so I think I may need to wait to June 21 or so to be ready for summer!

[Christina Courtenay]

Great post, Andrea! I'll miss seeing friends and family and getting together for meals or just tea and cake (love the look of the one in your photo with wild strawberries - yum!). Also travelling and outings, like you said. But I'll still be able to enjoy the lovely weather and sitting outside, the garden turning beautiful with lots of roses and other flowers, and things like the scent of newly mown grass. It's going to be a very different summer though, for sure!

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks, so much, Kareni. Glad you enjoyed them. Things seem to be changing often, so by July, your picnic may well be doable, especially if it's just family. If everyone has been monitoring their health and interactions, and uses good sense, it's probably safe to gather. I hope so.

And yes, where was Spring!!! I was outside about 10 days ago and got caught in s snow flurry! Really!!

I think we all deserve some nice sunny weather, and a lessening of the virus so that some inyteraction with family and good friends is possible.

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks, Christina. Yes, the casual. convivial gatherings of friends over food and drink during the summer is such an integral part of the season's vibe. I really hope things were become safe enough to do that within sensible parameters.

Like you, I take joy in nature and the little details of summer coming to life. (BTW, I love your photos of your garden on Instagram. Such beautiful scenes!)

[Sue McCormick]

We truly don't get out much anyway, but I miss the ability to be spontaneous about it. We're going to the dentist this afternoon for our semi-annual check-up. It's a sad world when going to the dentist is something to look forward to!

I don't see my near-by great grandchildren much, but although they live only 35 miles away, I don't see them at all!

But I do get things done. And life goes on. And this, too, shall pass.

[Maryellen Webber]

Beautiful pictures Andrea! I'm very happy that our son who has Autism is able to attend day camp in June. It will be held with lots of attention to social distancing. My greatest concern is not being able to see my elderly mom in Connecticut.

[Lil]

I think what bothers me most isn't what I will miss, because I'm not much for crowds or large groups in the first place. It's what my grandchildren will miss—going out to play with kids in the neighborhood and not coming home until dinner time, and on long summer evenings, going out to play after dinner.

[Andrea Penrose]

Oh, Sue, you made me laugh about the dentist visit! We all know it's the right thing to do to stay at home as much as possible, but I confess to feeling a little stir-crazy. So yes, even the grocery store seems like a nice break. Sigh.

"Spontaneous"istruly what I miss! But as you so sagely point out—this, too, shall pass. I hope you can soon have a family gathering of all generations!

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks, Maryellen! I'm so glad your son will be able to attend camp. And as a resident of Connecticut, I can report that the news is more and more positive in the state, and things are reopening. So I hope you will soon be able to visit your Mom.

[Andrea Penrose]

Lil, that SO true. Summer is such a special time for kids to explore and feel free. They've had a really tough time through all of this, with everything in their world disrupted. But resilience is a hallmark of youth, so hopefully they will recover from the stresses quickly.

[Margot]

Our family reunion had to be cancelled and I looked forward to that so much. Have not seen many of my nieces and nephews, brother and sisters in quite some time.
Summer promises to be quieter for me this year as I will continue to physical distance myself so that some of my good friends and I (all in the older years and/or vulnerable) will be able to meet outside with care and protection, I do not want to be one who infects any of them. I have lived through many summers and keeping more to myself for one summer will not be the end all. Trips will have to wait for a little longer. I will work on my large yard, take walks, read, enjoy photographing, talk to friends on the phone, write letters and cards and be happy I am well.

[Annette N]

I miss visiting with people. I miss watching baseball games. I miss the feeling of freedom to do things which I once took for granted.

I am one of the people most at risk. That is not a good feeling.

[Andrea Penrose]

Margot, you have a very wise and patient attitude about the situation. But that doesn't lessen the emotional reaction. I'm so sorry about the family gathering being cancelled. Looking forward to meaningful events is important emotionally—as are the physical connections with family and friends. Perhaps as thing improve, you'll be able to reschedule.

And hope thing mprove enough that you can gather outdoors safely with your freinds.

[Andrea Penrose]

Sending virtual hugs, Annette. I think we all are aware of how many little freedoms we've taken for granted.Let us hope we will all be able to return to those wonderful things in the not too distant future.

[Constance]

This past weekend, we opened up the back porch and patio - an annual Memorial Day event that, this year, was somewhat bittersweet, as who knows when we'll be able to share it with family and friends? I also miss the idea of travel, as we've cancelled a planned summer trip to the Cotswolds and the South Downs. And we've lost a brother-in-law to this horrible virus, a loss that informs every thought these days, because he loved summer and sailing more than anything - the summer will be sadder for his loss.

But, in the meantime, like others, I've reconnected with old friends; spent more time (online of course) with family and close friends; led the organization of which I'm ED in turning our events in to Zoom get-togethers - all of which activities I hope will continue long after the pandemic ends. And every morning and evening, my husband and I do a garden walk -- we don't have a huge lot, but he's a terrific gardener and this time of year, there's something new to see and be grateful for every day. This morning, the first peony has opened, and so I think I'll be doing a LOT of garden walks this summer!

Could I also just say that I end each day reading the work of a Wench? Thank you all for helping us escape!

[Andrea Penrose]

Constance, I'm so, so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother-in-law. Hugs to you and all your family.

I hope that sometime this summer you will be able to gather family on your patio and celebrate his memory and the bonds that bonds that tie you all together. I think all of us have come to cherish our loved ones even more in these fraught times.

Gardens walks are so calming and inspiring. I take great solace in the beauty of Nature, too.
And lastly, thanks so much for the kind words about our books. It means so much to hear that what we do brings some light to a reader's world!

[Kareni]

My sympathies, Constance, on the death of your brother-in-law. I hope that memories of past happy times spent with him will bring you some comfort in the days to come.

[Karin]

I will miss(and I am missing) trips to New York, visiting a museum or a botanical garden, and going out to eat in restaurants.
The silver linings for me, like many, are the Zoom get-togethers with far-flung family around the country, time for long phone conversations with friends, and extra time devoted to cooking and gardening.

[Karin]

I'm so sorry for your lost Constance. I am also eagerly awaiting my peonies, it sounds as though I'm a week or two behind you, mine are just small buds.

[Andrea Penrose]

Karin, Those things are really high on my list, too. Especially the museums. I really miss the Met!