Joys of Summer

The nice thing about memories is being able to pick and choose the ones I wish to preserve, and I choose the happy ones.

Betty - Hartley, Iowa

Summer Brings Enjoyment

I love summertime! It gives me the opportunity to do all the things that bring me such pleasure.

During summer, instead of having evening church services, we have vespers on Sunday evenings in the yards of our congregation members. Our vespers always include a potluck dinner, which provides a variety of delicious food. One woman always brings corn on the cob covered in butter. The melted butter runs down my chin as I eat it. Some of the members cook hot dogs and/or hamburgers on the grill, and the aroma makes my mouth water and my stomach growl. I just love food!

I also enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in abundance in the summer. I love to pick raspberries from my backyard or peaches from a friend’s tree, and nothing tastes better to me than a tomato pulled from the vine. Food just seems to taste better when it comes from your own garden.

At festivals and fairs, the smell of food beckons me to the food booths, and the seasonal ice cream truck comes up my hill every day. There could be no better way to end the day than sitting on the porch eating an ice cream bar.

Also, after being cooped up all winter, summer means it’s time to start getting out again. I enjoy getting out with friends, whether it involves taking a walk, sitting on the porch talking, or going to yard sales and flea markets.

Children are another reason summer is enjoyable. Having no children of my own, I welcome the chance to spend time with them. I always volunteer to help with vacation Bible study, and I also attend a young friend’s ball games. I love to see the determined set of his jaw as he goes up to bat, and the big grin when he hits the ball. I cheer for him as loud as any grandmother possibly could, and he appreciates it.

Summer also brings the holiday of celebrating America’s birthday. It’s a great time, with a family reunion, swimming and, of course, fireworks. My birthday is also celebrated in the summer, and I look forward to spending time with friends and family as they shower me with love.

Last summer, some friends bought a boat and took me out on it. The scenery in the Ohio Valley is beautiful, and on my ride in the boat, it was breathtaking to see the magnificent hills while feeling the wind in my face.

I enjoy everything about summer – the fragrant flowers, the glow of lightning bugs, and the warm sun on my back.

I’m also very thankful for the extra hours of daylight, which allow me to do all the things I love.