The Spirit of Summer
23 September 2007
What is it about summer that makes us feel so wonderful? The warmth of the sun that sparks an inner glow. Getting out and about and just being part of the world and reconnecting with those in it.
Summer for me has always meant catching up with family and friends. Here in Australia, particularly so when the height of summer heralds in long school holiday breaks, Christmas and New Year celebrations. It really does help us to renew and refresh...the anticipation of what might be and the time to enjoy it. Summer just wouldn't BE summer without BBQ's with friends, back yard or beach cricket, ice cold beer and for the ladies...a refreshing gin and tonic in a tall glass, sliver of lime included thank you.
Oh, then there's the songs of summer with those lyrics that ALWAYS mean summer to you...here's where I reveal my age!
- Summertime is easy...you know what I like.
- Summer breeze, makes me feel fine...going to the jasmine in my miiiiiiiiiiind.
- When you're with me it's always summer.
- Oh..the summer wind...dada dada (wish I could remember the rest)
- Ain't no cure for the summertime blues...
- Take me to the April sun in Cuba...wo oh oh
- Summer lovin', had me a blast...Summer lovin' happened so fast...
- I miss...that kiss...summer...in Paris...
- Summer love...it's like no other love...
The mere thought of escaping the city and heading off to the beach, for just a day on the week-end is enough to lift spirits and relax.
Once you get past the frantic last minute lassoing of children, pets, buckets, spades, balls, hats, towels, surf boards, body boards, food, drink, entertainment for the road trip and the strategical stuffing of it all into a beach bag or two. Then there's the traffic..oh the highway traffic...1000's of others doing exactly what you're setting out to do...what are they thinking? What were you thinking?...AAAH!
But once you unpack the car, whack on your hat, trudge down to your spot on the beach and drop your beach bags down (to emphatically announce that you made it and that this turf is now yours!) you look around and then it all starts to peel away...your stress levels! not your skin! That happens later on in the week.
Where were we...oh yes...it starts to peel away...
The soothing gentle breezes, the familiar scent of frangipani and jasmine in the air, coconut oil on passers by as they head to the sand, sand in ears and hair (and in other places you forgot you had!)and of course, between toes...that squeak as you walk across the sand - you only get that on the fine, white, powdery kind.
Melting ice-cream down your arm, watermelon, mango, ginger, lime, coconut and papaya, the wondrous sound of rolling waves hitting the shore. Seagulls annoying those who haven't yet learnt that all it takes is one crumb, and they circle and squawk about for hours.
There is something magical and enormously satisfying about watching children play at the beach. Industriously building castles, digging holes, gathering water, collecting shells and rocks and the occasional sand fight.
I love watching my children play with their Dad at the beach. They really connect and have a wonderful time. No other distractions, they are his and he is theirs for those brief hours they have together. As for me, that's my cue to read a magazine, close my eyes and nod off for a while.
It's the simple stuff really that makes summer so great and the gorgeous weather that some how makes it all possible. The fact that I can feel so good, reconnect and just relax is what I love about summer...my Spirit of Summer...what's yours?
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